


SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 

UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 

VTALOGUE OF GAMES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE 
MTED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPART- 
MENT OF ARCHEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY 
OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNA- 
TIONAL EXPOSITION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895. 



BY 



STEWART CULIN, 

Director of the Museum of Archaology and Paleontology \ University of Pennsylvania. 



From the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1896, pages 665-942, 
with fifty plates. 




WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1898. 



SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 

UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



CATALOGUE OF GAMES A,ND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE DEPART- 
MENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY 
OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNA- 
TIONAL EXPOSITION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895. 



BY 



STEWART CULIN, 

Director of the Museum of Archteology ami Paleontology, University of Pennsylvania. 



From the Report of the U. S. National Museum for 1896, pages 665-942, 
with riftv plates. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOV! R.NMEN 1 PRINTING OFFIl 1 

1898. 



0:i 15 1904 
D. of D, 



> • * 



« « 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



CATALOGUE OF GAMES AND IMPLEMENTS FOR DIVINATION EXHIBITED BY THE 
UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM IN CONNECTION WITH THE 
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHEOLOGY AND PALEONTOLOGY OF THE 
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA AT THE COTTON 
STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSI- 
TION, ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1895. 



BY 



STEWART CTTLHNT, 

Director of the Museum of Archaeology and Paleontology, 
University of Pennsylvania. 



665 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Page 

List of plates 671 

List of text figures 672 

Introduction 671) 

1. Nyout. Korea 681 

2. Gaming arrows. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 685 

3. Zohn ahl (awl game). Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 687 

4. Tab. Egypt 805 

5. Game sticks. Singapore, Straits Settlements 807 

6. Shing kun t'b (game of promotion). China 820 

7. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 820 

8. Ch'e m6 (teetotum). China 822 

9. Long Lawrence. England 823 

10. Log(die). United States 823 

11. Raniala p;is;i (fortune-telling dice). India 823 

12. Ramala pa*sa\ India 824 

13. Pasri(dice). India 825 

14. Astragali (knuckle bones) 826 

15. Astragali, glass. Ancient 831 

16. Kabatain (dice). India 831 

17. Kubos (die). Naucratis, Egypt 831 

18. Tesserae (dice). Roman or Etruscan 832 

19. Shik tsai (dice). China 

20. Sai (dice) • Japan 835 

21. Kwat p'ai (dominoes). China 836 

22. Tim chi p'ai (dotted cards). China 837 

23. Kol-hpai (dominoes). Korea 83S 

24. Dominoes. Burma 

25. Dominoes. United States 83!) 

26. Dominoes. Eskimo 840 

27. Chong iin ch'au (game of chief of the Literati). China 840 

28. Sugoroku (double sixes). Japan 841 

29. .J eu de l'oie (goose game). Fiance 841 

30. Giuoco dell 'oca (goose game). Italy 841 

31. Juego de la oca. Mexico Ml 

32. Game of Goose. United States 842 

88. Snake gam United States 842 

34. Tawulah (backgammon). Syria 849 

36. Tabal (backgammon). Johore 

36. Ssang-ryouk (backgammon). Korea 849 

37. Kawade kelia (cowrie game). Ceylon 851 

38. Pachisi. India 851 

39. Tatolli. Mexico 854 

40. Chausar (dice game). India 

41. Pasit (Pachisi), Burma 

667 



()68 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Page. 

42. Dhola (Tachisi). Maldive Islands 856 

13. Paohts (Pachisi). Persia 856 

11. Edris a jin (pachisi). Syria 857 

45. Chaturanga (dice chess). India 857 

46. Chit-thareen (chess). Burma 859 

47. Chess. Maldive Islands 860 

48. Chator (chess). Johore 861 

49. Chessboard. Morocco 862 

50. Chess. England 862 

51. Tseung k'i (chess). China 863 

52. Tj yang-keui (chess). Korea 866 

53. Shogi (chess). Japan 867 

51 . Pa-tok (pebble game) . Korea 868 

55. Chuki. Johore „ 872 

56. Go. Japan 873 

57. Juroku mnsashi (fox and geese). Japan 874 

58. Dam hariman (tiger game). Johore 875 

59. Fox and Geese. United States 877 

60. A-wi-thlak-na-kwe (stone warriors). Zuiii Indians 877 

61. Tong-kai (ceremonial quiver). Korea 881 

62. P'al ts'im (notice tally). Chinese in the United States 883 

63. Nin kan (New Year cards). Chinese in the United States 883 

64. Tanzaku (writing tablet). Japan 887 

65. Yeki (divination). Japan 889 

66. Chinese fortune-teller's sign. Johore 898 

67. Kwa" ts'im (divining-splints). China 898 

68. Mikuji (divining-splints). Japan 898 

69. Ts'im ii (lot answers). China 899 

70. Kwa"n tai ling ts'im (God of War divining lots). China 902 

71. Pa"k kop p'iii ts'im ii (gamblers' lots). China 902 

72. Pakkopp'iii (lottery). China 903 

73. Tsz' fa" (lottery). China 904 

74. Numbered balls (lottery). Spain 905 

75. Arrows. McCloud River Indians 905 

76. Gambling-sticks. Alaska Indians 906 

77. Htou-tjyen (playing-cards). Korea 918 

78. Practice arrows. Korea 921 

79. Playing-cards. Kiu Kiang, China 921 

80. Tseung-kwan p'iii (playing-cards). Kwangtung, China 922 

81. Hana-garuta (playing-cards). Japan 922 

82. Ganjifa (playing-cards) . India 924 

83. Ganjlfeh (playing-cards). Persia 928 

84. Playing-cards. Siam 929 

85. Tarocchi (playing-cards). Milan, Italy 929 

86. Tarocchi di Mautegna. Italy 931 

87. Minchiate (playing-cards). Florence, Italy 931 

88. Tarocchino (playing-cards). Bologna, Italy 932 

89. Tarots (playing-cards). France 932 

90. Tarok-karten (playing-cards). Germany 932 

91. Jeu des 78 Tarots l]gyptiens (fortune- telling cards). France 933 

92. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Bologna, Italy 933 

93. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Naples, Italy 934 

94. Carte da Giuocare (playing-cards). Florence, Italy 934 

95. Trappola cards. Austria 934 

96. Hispano-American cards. Spain 934 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 669 

I'.n.''-. 

97. Naipes (playing-cards). Cadiz, Spain 935 

98. Naipes (playing-cards). Cadiz, Spain 936 

99. Playing-cards. Apache Indians, United states 936 

100. Playing-cards. Celebes 936 

101. Cartes a jouer (playing-cards). Fiance 936 

102. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Franklbrt-on-the-Main, Germany 937 

103. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Leipsic, Germany 937 

104. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Vienna, Austria 938 

105. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Sckaffhansen, Switzerland 938 

106. Spiel-karten (playing-cards). Sckaffhansen, Switzerland 938 

107. Spille-kort (playing-cards). Denmark 938 

108. Kille-kort (playing-cards). Sweden 938 

109. Cncncards. Bari, Italy 939 

110. Hexen-karten. Germany 939 

111. Igralnye karty (playing-cards). Russia 941 

112. Playing-cards. England 941 

113. Playing-cards. United States (about 1860) 941 

114. Playing-cards. United States; " Union" 941 

115. Playing-cards. United States. Generals, 1863 941 

116. Playing-cards. Confederate States of America 942 

117. Playing-cards. United States. Harlequin, 1879 942 

118. Playing-cards. United States. Political euchre, 1888 942 

119. Playing-cards. United States. Political comic, 1888 942 

120. Playing-cards. United States. World's Fair Souvenir, Chicago, 1893.. . 942 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PLATES. 

Facing page. 

1. Implements used in playing game of Nyout 082 

2. Korean boys playing Nyout 682 

3. Gaining arrows. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 686 

4. Plnm stones and basket for game. Cheyenne Indians, Montana 692 

5. Staves for Travois game 710 

6. Bone gaming disks. Seneca Indians, New York 729 

7. Ivory and wooden dice. Tlingit Indians, Alaska 735 

8. Papago Indian striking staves in the air in playing Ghing-skoot 738 

9. Tarahumara Indians playing "Quince" at the Pueblo of Penasco Blanco.. 742 

10. Sets of staves for game of Quince. Tepeguana Indians, Chihuahua, Mexico. 742 

11. Bark tablets thrown as dice. Uinkaret Indians, Utah 749 

12. Casts in Sioux plum stone game 759 

13. Figured plum stones for games. Dakota Sioux 760 

14. Shrine of the War Gods. Twin Mountain, Pueblo of Zuiii 778 

15. Gambling reeds. Cherlon Ruin, Arizona 800 

16. Decorated pottery bowl with "Eagle man" and gaming-reed casts. 

Cunopavi 800 

17. Plate 44, Fejervary codex • 803 

18. Magi with baresma 808 

19-22. Mustache sticks. Ainu of Yezo, Japan 812 

23. Wooden and bone dollasses (Divining staves) 814 

24. Koreans playing Tjyong-kyeng-to 820 

25. Divinatory diagram. Tibet 821 

26. Koreans playing dominoes . v :N 

27. Set of ivory dominoes. Savage Islands 840 

28. Game of Goose (Giuoco DelV Oca). Florence, Italy 841 

29. The game of Patolli 856 

30. Dhola, (Pachisi). Maldive Islands 856 

31. Board for Pachis (Pachisi). Persia 856 

32. Chessboard and men. Burma 859 

33. Identification tablets ( Yo-hpai). Korea ss I 

31. Pai'zah of the Mongols. From a specimen found in East Siberia > v > 

35. Bamboo money 885 

36. Obverse of jade audience ring. Ancient China 885 

37. Tanzaku, Japan ^ vx 

38. Carved sandalwood jackstraws (Hc'ung Vopdtph). Canton, China 895 

39. Carved sandalwood jackstraws. Canton, China 

40. Shrine of Chinese God of War. Philadelphia 

41. Ilaida gambling stick and pottery stamp. Ecuador 906 

42. 43. Taku Indian gambling sticks. Alaska 

44. Korean card playing ;, ' s 

45. The eight ''General" cards. Korea ! 'l s 

till 



672 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Facing page. 

16. Bhaftments of practice arrows. Korea 921 

IT. Chinese playing-cards. Kin Kiang 921 

48. Playing-cards (ganjtfeh). Persia 928 

49. I'la\ ing-oards (ganjifeh). Persia 928 

BO, Plaj Ing-oards (ganjifeh). Persia 928 

TEXT FIGURES. 

Pago. 

I. Nyont hpan. Nyout board. Korea 680 

i'. Nyout hpan. Nyout board. Inscribed with Chinese verse. Korea 681 

3. First page of Tjyek-sa-tjyem. Korean handbook for divination with 

staves 683 

1. The sixty-four hexagrams. China 684 

5. The pat k w;i or eight diagrams, according to Fuh-hi. China 685 

6. Cloth for Zohn ahl. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 686 

7. Staves for Zohn ahl. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 687 

8. Set of bone dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 689 

9. Basket for dice game. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 689 

10. Set of bone dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 691 

11. Basket for dice game. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 691 

12. Set of wooden dice. Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory 692 

13. Gaming disks, bone and worked peach stones. Arapaho, Oklahoma 692 

14. Set of bone dice. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory 692 

15. Basket for dice game. Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory 693 

16. Dice for bowl game. Chippewa Indians 694 

17. Gambling bowl. Menominee Indians 696 

18. Set of buttons for dice in woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. .. 697 

19. Wooden bowl for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 697 

20. Counting sticks for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 698 

21. Counting sticks for woltes takun. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 699 

22. Counting sticks (sangi). Japan 699 

23. Gaming disk for wobunarunk. Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia 701 

24. Engraved shell bead (runtce). Pompey, New York 702 

25. Bone gaining disks. Tobique (Micmac) Indians, New Brunswick 703 

26. Counting sticks for altes tagen. Micmac Indians, New Brunswick 704 

27. Counting sticks. Micmac Indians, New Brunswick 706 

28. Bone die used in bowl game (all-tes-teg-eniik). Passamaquoddy Indians, 

Maine 706 

29 Manner of holding dish in all-tes-teg-enuk. Passamaquoddy Indians, 

Maine 707 

30. Counting sticks. Passamaquoddy Indians, Maine 707 

31. Set of counting sticks for wer-lar-da-har mun gun. Penobscot Indians, 

Maine 708 

32. Limestone disks, possibly used in game. Nottawasaga, Ontario, Canada. 709 

33. Set of bone gaming staves. Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana.. 711 

34. Set of counting sticks. Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana..:... 712 

35. Set of bone gaming staves. Blackfeet, Blood Reserve, Alberta, Canada.. 713 

36. Gaming staves. White Mountain Apache, Fort Apache, Arizona 713 

37. Circuit for stave game. Navajo and Apache 714 

38. Method of holding sticks by White Mountain Apache 714 

39. Set of staves for game. Navajo Indians, New Mexico 715 

40. Set of blocks for game. Navajo Indians, Arizona 716 

II. Set of plum stones for game. Arikara Indians 716 

12. Ivory images used as dice in game of tingmiujang 717 

43. Game (f) of fox and geese 718 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 673 

Pay.-. 

44. Carved irorv water birds and seal. St. Lawrence Island, Siberia 718 

45. Wooden blocks, said to be used in game. Northwest Arctic ( Oast 719 

46. Twisters used in game. Point Harrow Eskimo 720 

47. Gns-ga-e-sa-tii, or deer-buttons. Seneca Indians, New York 727 

48. Gus-kii'-eh, or peach stones. Seneca Indians, New York 727 

49. Ga-jih, or bowl for game. Seneca Indians, New York 728 

50. Peach stone bowl game. Seneca Indians, New York 72* 

51. Circuit for Sia stave game 7:i<» 

52. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 731 

53. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 732 

54. Staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 733 

55. Set of staves for game. Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory 734 

56. Leather tablet on which dice are thrown. Tlingit Indians, Alaska 735 

57. Set of woodchuck teeth dice. Klamath Indians, Oregon 736 

58. Set of walnut shell dice. Y T okut Indians, California 737 

59. Set of staves for Ghing-skoot. Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona. .. 738 

60. Circuit for Papago stave game 739 

61. Set of staves for game. Pima Indians, Arizona 740 

62. Set of staves for gaine. Pima Indians, Arizona 741 

63. Set of staves for game. Pima Indians, Arizona 741 

64. Circuit for Pima stave game 742 

65. Set of staves for game of Ro-ma-la-ka. Tarahumara Indians, Pueblo of 

Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico 743 

66. Set of staves for game. Tepeguana Indians, Chihuahua, Mexico 743 

67. Circuit for Tepeguana and Tarahumara stave game 711 

68. Beaver teeth dice. Snohomish (?) Indians, Tulalip Agency, Washington. 745 

69. Game counters. Radial bones of bird. Snohomish (?) Indians, Tulalip 

Agency, Washington 746 

70. Set of beaver teeth dice. Thompson River Indians, interior of British 

Columbia 746 

71. Set of bone dice. Comanche Indians, Indian Territory 748 

72. Set of bone dice. Comanche Indians, Indian Territory 748 

73. Gaming canes. Paiute Indians, southern Utah 749 

74. Set of sticks for game. Paiute Indians, Nevada 71!' 

75. Set of staves for game. Shoshoni Indians, Fort Hall Agency, Idaho 750 

76. Set of staves for game. Assinaboin Indians, Dakota 750 

77. Assinaboin bowl game 7"> I 

78. Counts in Assinaboin bowl game 752 

79. Set of gaming sticks. Assinaboin Indians, Upper Missouri 7"> 1 

80. Set of bone gaming staves. Gros Ventres Indians, Dakota 754 

81. Set of bone dice. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North Dakota 755 

82. Basket for dice game. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North Dakota 755 

83. Clay fetich used in dice game. Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North 

Dakota 756 

84. Set of plum stones for game. Omaha Indians 757 

85. Basket for plum stone game. Dakota Sioux, South Dakota 758 

86. Counting sticks for plum stone game. Dakota Sioux, South Dakota 7". ( .i 

87. Plum stones for game. Yankton Sioux 761 

88. Blocks for game of Tugi-e-pfe. Tewa Indians, Santa Clara, New Mexico. 7«i_> 
89,90. Counts in Pa-tol T«> 1 

91. Staves and marking sticks used in the game of Ca-se-he-a pa-na. Tewa 

Indians, Taos, New Mexico 765 

92. Circuit for game of Ca-se-he-a-pa-na. Tewa Indians, TaoB, New Mexico.. Tiiii 

93. Wooden die. Kwakiutl Indians, British Colombia 766 

94. Beaver teeth dice. Makah Indians, Neah Bay, Washington 767 

NAT MUS 96 43 



C74 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Page. 

96. Bel of staves for game. Cocopa Indians 768 

96. Bet of blocks for game. Mohave Indians, Arizona 769 

97. gel ofblooks for game. Mohave Indians, Southern California 769 

98. Gaming sticks. Mohave Indians, Arizona 770 

99. Bet of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 771 

100. Set of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 772 

101. Set of blocks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni, New Mexico 773 

L02. Set ofblooks for game of Ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni, New Mexico 774 

103. Set of blocks for game of Tein-thla-nah-ta'-sho'-li'-we. Zuni Indians, 

New Mexico 775 

104. Hide used as gaming board in Tein-thla-uah-ta'-sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, 

New Mexico 776 

105. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we 777 

106. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 777 

107. Set of sacrificial canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 778 

108. Set of canes for game of Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 778 

109. Set of canes for Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, New Mexico 779 

110. Arrow shaftments of the four directions, showing ribbanding and cut 

cock feathers. Zuni 781 

111. Manner of holding canes in tossing in game of Sho'-li-we. Zuni Indians, 

New Mexico 783 

112. Set of canes for Sho'-li-we (reproductions). Zuni 784 

113. Cliff dweller atlatl (restored) 785 

114. Handle of atlatl showing crossed wrapping for attachment of linger 

loops. Cliff dwelling, Mancos Canyon, Colorado 786 

115. Stave for game. Cliff dwellings of Mancos Canyon, Colorado 800 

116. Scheme of plate 44, Fejervary codex 802 

117. Set of sticks for game. Toba Indians, Grand Chaco, South America 803 

118. Pair of bones and counters for game. Grand Chaco Indians 804 

119. Canes for tab. Cairo, Egypt 806 

120. Board (seegd) for tab. Egypt 806 

121. Canes for game. Singapore, Straits Settlements 807 

122. Baresma 808 

123 Baresma (barsom) with stand. Modern Persia 809 

121. Assyrian altar 809 

125. Scepters (kwai) anciently carried by Chinese nobles 810 

126. Grand scepter [Tax kwai) anciently carried by the Emperor. China 811 

127. Scepter of omnipotence (chan kwai) anciently carried by the Emperor. 

China 813 

128. Wooden scepter (fat) used by nobles in Chinese theaters 813 

129. Baton of authority (shakit) carried by nobles. Japan 813 

130. Baton (viyoi) of red lacquered wood with purple cord, used by priest of 

Zen sect. Japan 814 

131. Ivory counter for game (?). Lybian (?), Egypt 815 

132. Ivory staves for game (?). Ly bian, Egypt 816 

133. Men for game (f) (lion, hare). Lybian (?), Egypt 816 

134. Cowrie shells used in fortune-telling. Liberia, Africa 817 

135. Pebbles from Mas d'Azil 819 

13ti. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 820 

137. Tjyong-kyeng-to. Korea 821 

138. Korean die for Buddhist game 821 

139. Die used with divinatory diagram. Tibet 821 

lH). Teetotum (wiirfel) used by Jewish children at Purim 822 

Ml. Long Lawrence. Almondbnry, England 822 

1 12. Log. Ivory die. United States 823 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. G75 

I 'aye. 

143. Ramala pasa. Lncknow, India 824 

144. Dice for fortune-telling. Constantinople, Turkey 82 1 

145. Brass placqne accompanying dice for fortune-telling. Persia 825 

146. Brass placqne accompanying dice for fortune-telling. Persia 82»» 

147. Stick-dice. Bohemia (Hradischt near Stradonitz) 827 

148. Values of the throws with knuckle bones. Tarakumara Indians, Chi- 

huahua, Mexico 828 

149. Astragalus of bison used as die. Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona. 829 

150. Astragalus used in game. Lengua Indians 829 

151. Bronze astragalus 831 

152. Korean die 834 

153. Etruscan triplicate die. Chiusi 835 

154. Domino cards. China 837 

155. Kol-hpai dominos. Korea 839 

156. Men for Korean backgammon game 849 

157. Cowrie game (Kaicade Kelia). Ceylon 850 

158. Board for " Cowrie play " (Gavalata) 851 

159. Pachisi cloth 852 

160. Men for pachisi game 853 

161. Persian chessboard 858 

162. Burmese chessboard 859 

163. Indian chessmen of wood 860 

164. Indian chessmen of solid ivory 860 

165. Indian chessmen of hollow ivory 860 

166. Turkish and Greek chessmen 861 

167. Kurdish chessmen 861 

168. English chessmen. Time of Caxton 862 

169. Chinese chess 864 

170. Korean chess 866 

171. Chessplayers. Japan 867 

172. Board for Pa-tok. Korea 869 

173. Wai k'i board, showing names applied to four quarters 870 

174. Board for chuki. Johore, Straits Settlements 871 

175. Arrangement of men on chuki board 871 

176. Go players (priest and wrestler). Japan 873 

177. Juroku musashi. Japan 873 

178. Juroku musashi. Japan 874 

179. Shap luk kontseung kwan. China 874 

180. Ludus de subjugandi rebelles. China 875 

181. Tiger game. Johore, Straits Settlements 875 

182. Tiger game (Pulijudam). India 876 

183. Solitario. Peru 876 

184. Coyote. Mexico 876 

185. Sua ghin gnua. Siam 876 

186. Fox and Geese. United States 877 

187. Game of stone warriors. Zani Indians, New Mexico 877 

L88. Pottery disks used as men in games. Cliff dwellings, Mancos Canyon, 

Colorado 878 

189. The game of To-to-16s-pi. Moki Indians, New Mexico B79 

190. Ceremonial arrow. Insignia of Chinese general B83 

191. Notice tally (P'di ta' im). Chinese in United States 883 

192,193. Name tablet (Ilo-hpai). Korea 884 

194. Obverse of Chinese coin (Win). China 

195. Tlingit tablet. Alaska 

196, 197. Tlingit tablets. Alaska 886 



676 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Page. 

1 : 18, 199. Tlingit tablets .. 887 

200. Tlingit tablets 888 

201. Alaska Indian tablet. Alaska 888 

206. Folding fan (hah shin, tl black fan "). Canton, China 889 

208. Calculating blocks (sangi) for yeki. Japan 890 

204. Metbod of shuttling zeichaku. Japan 891 

205. One stick placed between little finger and tbird finger 893 

206. Eigbt diagrams (Fdt hied) 894 

207. Japanese fortune-teller with zeichaku 895 

208. Rod and cover used in fan fan. Canton, Cbina 896 

209. Divining-splints (ku-d ts'im). Cbina 898 

210. Diviuing-sticks (mikiiji) with box (bako), from which they are tbrown. 

J apan 899 

211. Arrow-lots (ts'im ii) in box (quiver). Canton, Cbina 900 

212. Divining-blocks (kdu piii). Cbina 901 

213. Lottery ticket (pdk kbpp'ifi). Chinese in United States 903 

214. Chart for word-blossoming lottery (tsz' fa t'b). Cbina, and Chinese in 

United States 904 

215. Enigma (tsz' fa t'ai) used in word-blossoming lottery. Chinese in United 

States 905 

216. String of ninety lottery balls. Madrid, Spain 906 

217. Cut arrow shaftment. Cliff dwelling in Mancos Canyon, Colorado 907 

218. Reverse of Korean playing-card showing arrow feather 919 

219. Suit marks on Korean cards 920 

220. Numerals on Korean Cards 920 

221. Hindu playing-card (fish avatar) 922 

222. Hindu playing-card (tortoise avatar) 923 

223. Hindu playing-card ( Pdra^i-Rdmd) 924 

22 1 . Hindu playing-card (Pdra$u-Rdmd) 925 

225. Hindu playing-card (Buddha) 927 

226. Reverse of Hispano-American playing-card. Mexico, 1583 935 



NOTE. 

> The following work has grown from a sim})le catalogue into its pres- 
ent proportions in an endeavor to illustrate the distribution of certain 
games, and by comparison elucidate their original significance. In the 
American part an attempt has been made to describe as far as pos- 
sible the implements for games of the types mentioned, in American 
museums. Additions and corrections, to be incorporated in a subse- 
quent publication, will be gratefully acknowledged by the author. 

Stewart Culin. 
University of Pennsylvania, 

Philadelphia, August, 1897. 

677 



CHESS AM) PLAYING-CARDS. 



By Stewart Culin, 
Director of the Museum of Archwology and Paleontology, University of Pennsylvania. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The object of this collection 1 is to illustrate the probable origin, 
significance, and development of the games of chess and playing-cards. 
Following up the suggestion made to the writer by Mr. Frank H. 
Cushing, they are both regarded as derived from the divinatory use of 
the arrow, and as representing the two principal methods of arrow- 
divination. Incidental to the main subject, various games and divina- 
tory processes having a like origin, although not leading directly to 
chess or cards, are exhibited, as well as specimens of each class from 
various countries. 

The basis of the divinatory systems from which games have arisen 
is assumed to be the classification of all things according to the Four 
Directions. 2 This method of classification is practically universal 



'This collection, for which a diploma of honor and gold medal were awarded at 
the Atlanta Exposition, was subsequently placed on exhibition in the U. S. National 
Museum, where it has since been augmented by many of the additional games 
described in this catalogue. — Editor. 

Some idea of the extent to which the classification of things according to the 
world quarters was carried in Eastern Asia may be obtained from the numerical 
categories in the second part of Mayer's Chinese Header's Manual, from which the 
following examples are taken : 



DIRECTIONS. 


SEA80NS. 


COLORS. 


ELEMENTS. 


PLANETS. 


METALS. 


Q RAINS. 


North. 


Winter. 


Black. 


Water. 


Mercury. 


Iron. 


Pulse. 


East. 


Spring. 


Green. 


Wood. 


Jupiter. 


Lead. tin. 


Corn. 


South. 


Summer. 


Red. 


Fire. 


Mars. 


Copper. 


Millet. 


West. 


Autumn. 


White. 


Metal. 


Venus. 


Silver. 


Hemp. 


Middle. 




Yellow. 


Eartli. 


Saturn. 


Gold. 


Rice. 



I append, for purpose of comparison, a list of some of the corresponding cate- 
gories as they exist in the pueblo of Zufii, New Mexico, kindly furnished me by 
Mr. (Joshing. 



DIRECTIONS. 


SEASONS. 


COLORS. 


ELEMKNTS. 


North. 


Winter. 


Yellow. 


Air (wind or breath). 


West, 


Spriug. 


Blue. 


Water. 


South. 


Summer. 


Red. 


Fire. 


East. 


Autumn. 


White. 


Earth (seeds of). 


Upper. 


Day. 


Many-color. 


Waking or life condition. 


Lower. 


Night. 


Blaek. 


Sleeping or death condition. 


Middle. 


Year. 


All colors. 


All elements and conditions. 



It should be observed that the connotations of color and direction v.ir\ from the 
above and from each otlier among the different Amcri< an trilte-s. between Aztec and 
Maya, and between the different Mexican chroniclers. 

679 



680 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

among primitive peoples both in Asia and America. In order to classify 
objects and events which did not in themselves reveal their proper 
assignment resort was had to magic. Survivals of these magical 
processes constitute our present games. The identity of the games of 
Asia and America may be explained upon the ground of their common 
object and the identity of the mythic concepts which underlie them. 

o o o 

o o 

o ° o 

O O o 

b>© o o o o o o 

o o 

*** o o o 




c 

Fig. 1. 

NYOUT HP AN. NY OUT BOARD. 

Korea. 

Cat. No. 18669, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. From Korean Games. 

These concepts, as illustrated in games, appear to be well nigh uni- 
versal. In the classification of things according to the Four Quarters 
we find that a numerical ratio was assumed to exist between the several 
categories. The discovery of this ratio was regarded as an all-impor 
tant clue. The cubical dotted die represents one of the implements of 
magic employed for this purpose. The cubical die belongs, however, 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



681 



to a comparatively late period in the history of games and divination. 
The almost universal object for determining number, and thence by 
counting, place or direction, is three or more wooden staves, usually 
flat on one side and rounded upon the other. Numerical counts are 
attributed to their several falls. A typical game in which these staves 
are employed is found in No. 1 — the Korean game of Nyout. 






® 













Fi-. 2. 

NYOUT HPAN. NYOUT BOARD. 

Inscribed with Chinese verse. 
Korea. 

Cat. No. lfrW7, Museum of Archieology, University of Pennsylvania. From Korean Games. 



1. Nyout. Korea. 
(a) Board and staves. 1 



^os. 16487, 16898, Mus. Arch., Univ. Prim. The hoard exhibited (fig. 1> is painted 
upon a sheet of Korean paper, 22} by 26 inches, and was made lor the author by Mr. 
Pak Young Kiu, secretary of the Royal Korean Commission tothr World's Columbian 
Exposition, Chicago, in the Bamnier of 1898. Another (fig. 2) has Chinese chara< - 



682 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

(h) Reproduction of native picture; Korean boys playing Nyout. 1 
The national game of Korea. Two, three, or four persons play, mov- 
ing objects used as men around a circuit, according to throws made 
with tour blocks of wood used as dice. The circuit (fig. 1) is marked 
with twenty-nine points, twenty of which are arranged equally distant 
in a circle, within which is a cross composed of nine stations. The 
blocks ordinarily used are called pam-nyout or " chestnut nyout" (Plate 1, 
fig. I), white and flat on one side and black and convex on the other. 
The pieces or men, called mal (Chinese, ma\ "horses," 2 may consist of 
any convenient stick or stone. The throws count as follows: 

4 white sides up, nyout, = 4 
4 black sides up, mo, = 5 
3 white sides up, kel, = 3 
2 white sides up, kdi, = 2 
1 white side up, to = 1 

A throw of nyout or mo entitles the player to another throw, which he 
makes before moving his piece. The one who shall play first is deter- 
mined by throwing the blocks, the highest leading. The players enter 
their men on the mark next on the left of the large circle at the top of 
the diagram, and move around against the sun. The object of the game 
is to get from one to four horses around the circuit and out again at the 
top. If a player throws so that one of his men falls upon another of 
his own he may double up the two pieces and thereafter take them 
around as one piece, they counting as two in the game. If a player's 
piece falls upon an opponent's the latter is said to be " caught," and is 
sent back to the beginning, and must be started again as at first. The 
captor is given another throw. Partners are permitted to move each 
other's pieces. In opening the game, if a player's man falls upon the 
large circle B, on the left, he returns to the goal by the radii B E, E A. 
If he overthrows the mark B he must continue on to 0. At this point 
he returns by the diameter A, but if he overthrows he must con- 
tinue on to D and around the circuit to A, the going-out place. 



ters, reading as four lines of a verse, inscribed in the circles. Children frequently 
play upon a circuit drawn upon the ground. In the picture of the game (Plate 2) 
the boys are represented as throwing the blocks through a cuff, which one of them 
has removed for the purpose. This is done to render the result of the throws more 
a matter of chance than of skill, and is a substitute for a ring of straw, about 
2 inches in diameter, affixed to the end of a stick about a foot long, which is stuck 
in the center of the ring for the same purpose. The selection of the wood for the 
sticks is not a matter of individual caprice. They are usually made of the wood of 
a thick busby tree, like the primus, called 88a-ri, used in China for bows, whence 
the game is called xari-iu/out. Another wood, pak-tal-na-mou, defined as a very hard 
wood of which mallets are made, is sometimes used, but the former is preferred. 

'Stewart Colin, Korean Games, Philadelphia, 1895. 

2 The term md, or horses, applied to men or pieces in a game, is of high antiquity 
in China, and was also given to the counters employed in the classical Chinese 
game of Tau ii or " pitch pot" (pitching arrows or arrow-lots into a pot), described 
in the Li Ki. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 1 




Fig. 1. Pam-nyoot. Length, § inch. 

(Cat. No. 17608, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. Korea.) 
Fig. 2. Tjyang-tjak-nyout. Length, 5 inches. 

(Cat. No. 17607, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. Ivorea.) 

Fig. 3. Method of Holding Long Nyout Sticks. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 1. 






Implements used in Playing Game of Nyout. 



Report of U S. National Museum, 1896.— Culin. 



Plate 2. 



Bimzy* 




■ T& 







v 

M 




Korean Boys Playing Nyout. 
From painting by Dative artist, reproduced in Korean Garni 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



G83 



M 
* 







°i^*i|VH 







HI 

n 



Ml 5! 

n -? 



rZ 
El 



PL'S 

•H7I 






P* g 



3 



2* 



4 



3 3 

Si o| 

J!* 

to. 






Children and gamblers in the cities commonly use short blocks. In 
the country, long blocks or staves, called tjyang-tjak-nyout (Plate 1, 
fig. 2), are employed. These are usually about 8 inches in length. 
In throwing them, one is often 
placed across the others, which 
are held lengthwise in the hand 
by the thumb, with the ends 
resting on the fingers (Plate 1, 
fig. 3). The game is played 
in the country by all classes, 
but only from the fifteenth of 
the twelfth to the fifteenth of 
the first month. 

The names applied to the 
throws are not Korean or Chi- 
nese, but are numerals which 
correspond closely with the cor- 
responding numerals of certain 
Ural-Altaic stocks. 1 

References to games played 
with staves, of the same gen- 



T 
•4- %j 



T 

i 
l?l 



2. 



£4 

-^61 °t| 

MM* 

i \t £ -mi xd| 



eral character as Xyont, occur 
in Chinese literature, where 
they are attributed to a foreign 
origin. 

It is customary in Korea to 
use the long blocks at the fif- 
teenth of first month for the 
purpose of divination. Early 
iu this month a small book is 
sold in the markets of Seoul to 
be used in connection with 
them. The players throw the 
staves three times, noting the 
number that is counted for the 
throw at each fall. The series 

three numbers is then referred to the book upon the several pages of 
which are printed in Chinese characters all the various permutations of 



Fig. 3. 

FIRST PAGE OF TJYEK-SA-TIYEM. 

Korean handbook for divination with - 

In the author's collection. From Korean Game*. 



'Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, who kindly compared them, tells me that tin tir>t :i 
have rather close analogies with the Ural-Altaic, while the u tour." and perhaps the 
"five," seem connected with the Samoyed: 



] 


\ORKAX. 




IKAI.-Al 1 Al< . 


1. 


To or ta. 


it, h 


( Finnish, Lappish 


2, 


Kdi or hd. 


hah 


| Finnish, Lappish 


3. 


h't 1 or kol. 


kol 


| Finnish. Lappish) 


4. 


Nj/out. 


tei 


S.irnoyed). 


5. 


Mo. 


sit inula 


(Samoyed). 



(J 84 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

the numbers, taken three at a time, with Korean text explanatory of their 
significance. A reproduction of the first section, entitled TjyeTc-stUjyem 
(Chinese, chdk 8& chim) "Throwing Nyout Divination," from a little 
Korean handbook, Tjil'-syengpep (Chinese, ehih sing fat) " Correct Planet 
Rule" is given in fig. 3. The numbers represented by the throws are 
from "one" to "four" in sixty-four permutations, from which it will be 
seen that only three staves are used. Nyout or " four" is the highest 
throw, and an explanation is thus given of the name of the game. 



/ BSBSBs-s % 

I in ================ s$» 

Hit liOUOiieiili \ttj, 

///;// == = == = == = = = ww 

iiiiii === = == = ====== iiiiii 

iiim iiiiii = liilii=l mm 

ww iii==i = = 5=i = ,?'"' 

^\ = = = = = = ==== in 



vL ==== = = ==== = == /S 

**% === = = = = = = jfy 




Kg. 4. 
THE SIXTY-FOUR HEXAGRAMS. 

China. 

After Legge. 

The Chinese Boole of Divination consists of sixty-four diagrams, 

kwd, composed of combinations of unbroken with broken lines 

, six being taken at a time, and the resulting diagrams being 

known as fche sixty-four lewd (fig. 4). Each of these diagrams is desig- 
nated by a name and accompanied by a short explanatory text. Now 
the sixty -lour hexagrams are regarded as an expansion of the eight 
trigrama (fig. 5), called the ]>ai lewd or eight lewd, formed by combining 
the Bame unbroken and broken lines, three at a time. The unbroken 
lines in the diagram are called yeung, " masculine," and the broken 
lines yam, " feminine." It is apparent that if the two sides of the Ko- 




CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 685 

rean blocks be regarded as representing the unbroken or masculine 
lines and the broken or feminine lines the trigrains will form a record 
of the throws when three blocks are used, and the hexagrams when 
six blocks are takeu. From this I regard the diviuatory use of the 
nyout blocks in connection with the handbook as illustrating the origin 
of the Chinese Book of Divination, to which the handbook presents an 
almost perfect parallel. 1 As it appears from the foreign names of the 
stave-throws in Korea that the system is foreign and non-Chinese, con- 
firmation is afforded of the theory of the foreign origin of the Book of 
Divination advanced by Professor 
Terrien de Lacouperie. A detailed ac- 
count of nyout is given by the writer in 
his work on Korean Games. 

The game of nyout may be regarded 
as the prototype of a large class of com- 
mon games, such as the Game of 
Goose, Backgammon, Pachisi, and 
Chess. It is clearly diviuatory in its ^^$* 

associations, the diagram representing ^ vS 
the world with its four quarters. The ^ ~ M *"" 

number, by means of which place is de- North, 

termined, is discovered by tossing the Fig. 5. 

blocks or staves. THE pAT KwA OR EIGHT diagrams, 

m, ,. tli ... . . ACCORDING TO FUH-HI. 

The assumption that the nyout staves 
were derived from arrows, suggested by Krom Mayer's cm™* Re.der>. H»ndb«*. 

Mr. Cushing, is based upon evidence 

furnished by corresponding American games; for example, in the 
Kiowa game of Zolin ahl, No. 3, where three of the staves bear marks 
like arrow feathering. In throwing the long nyout staves it is custom- 
ary to hold three crosswise over the other (Plate 1, fig. 3), in somewhat 
the same manner as in the Zufii game of Sho-U-we. (Compare fig. 112.) 

2. Gaming arrows.- Kiowa Indians. Indian Territory, United 
States. 

'I am informed that in the system of fortune-telling known in Japan as tfeki 
(No. 65), in which splints are ordinarily used, three small Mocks are sometimes 
tossed to determine the diagrams. In this method, known as Ami shiri t/eki, from 
Aral, the name of the reputed inventor, three rectangular blocks, called saiu/i, about 
3 inches in length, made of some hard wood — cherry, or. preferably, ebony — are em- 
ployed. Two of the opposite long sides are plain. The two other opposite faces are 
marked with vermilion ink in Chinese characters: On one. 'I' 1 in. "Heaven;'" one. TV, 
" Earth.*' and the other Yan. "Man." The determinations are made according to 
the positions in which the marked sides fall one to another, which are referred to a 
special treatise. Another similar method employed in Japan, also attributed to 
Arai, is by means of three ancient "cash" or coins, which are tossed from a tortoise 
shell. My informant, Mr. K. Wadamori, of Tokio, himself a yehi gahusha or "ydW 
scholar,*' tells me that dots are frequently employed in Japan in noting the diagrams, 
as in the Malagassy nkiddy. 

-Lent by Stewart Colin. Reproduction- made by Mr. Cashing from originals in 
the United States National Museum (Cat. No. 152SJ13). Collected by James Mooney. 



686 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Six arrows made of single pieces of maple wood, 29£ inches in length 
(Plate3). The beads are carved and painted. According to the col- 
lector, Mr. James Mooney, they are thrown with thehand like a javelin. 
and the player who throws farthest wins. It is a man's game. 

It is probable that these arrows were actually used in a game ex- 
tremely common among the Plains Indians. It consists in the players 
tossing arrows in turn at a mark. The object of each player after the 
first is to throw his arrow so that it will Jie across the arrow or arrows 




Fig. 6. 

CLOTH FOR ZOHN AHL. 

Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 16535, Museum of Archaology, University of Pennsylvania. 

that have been tossed before. 1 Mr. Gushing informs me that the. counts 
usually depend upon whether the tossed arrow falls upon the other at 
its head, middle, or foreshaft. 



Mr. E. W. Davie lias given me an account of this game, as seen by him played by 
the Apache of Geronimo's band in 1889, in St. Augustine, Florida. He states that 
the mark was about 10 feet away. "The arrows were tossed point first. The first 
1 1 1 . 1 1 1 bo throw was required to land on the mark. I the did so he got his arrow back. 
Once .hi arrow in the field, the object of the next player was to toss his arrow so 
that it should eross the first thrown, and so on through the crowd. I have seen as 
many as six play, and often all would toss around without anyone winning. In this 
case the arrows on the ground remained in the pot, so to speak. The play then went 
on, each player winning as many arrows as he could succeed in crossing with hie 
own, until the whole number was removed." 



Report of U. S National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 3. 



- 




CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



687 




Fig. 7. 

STAVES FOR ZOHN AHL. 

Length, 10 inches. 
Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 16536, Museum of Archjeology, University of Pennsylvania. 
From Korean Games. 



The incised designs, painted red, yellow, green, and blue, are in part 
easily recognizable as the calumet with primer, bow and arrow, the 
lightning, and the symbols of the Four Directions on the uppermost 
arrow (Plate 3), which are painted from left to right with the colors 
red, green, blue, and yellow. Mr. Gushing identified others as the war 
staff, or standard, and 
shield; day or dawn 
signs with turkey tracks ; 
day signs with stars; 
horse tracks, and the 
"man" sign. Mr. 
Mooney, in reply to my 
inquiry, informed me 



that the Kiowa attach 
no special significance to 
these carved arrows, and 
were unable to explain 
the designs. 

These arrows, carved 
and painted with cosmical emblems, are here introduced to illustrate 
the use of a veritable arrow, specialized for the purpose of a game, 
among the American Indians. 

3. Zohn ahl, 1 commonly known as the "Awl Game." Kiowa Indians, 
Indian Territory, United States. 

(a) A cloth, called the " awl cloth." 

(b) Two awls. 

(c) Flat bowlder, called the " awl stone." 

(d) Four prepared staves, called ahl or " wood." 

(e) Eight other sticks, to be used as counters. 2 

The "awl cloth" (fig. 6) is divided into points by which the game is 
counted. The curved lines upon it are called "knees," because they 
are like the knees of the players. 

The space between the parallel lines 1 and 1 and 20 and 20 is called 
"the creek," and the corresponding spaces between the parallel lines 
at right angles are called the " dry branches." 

Three of the u ahl sticks" (fig. 7) have a red stripe running down 
the middle and one has a blue stripe. They are held by the player in 
one hand and struck downward, so that their ends come on the u ahl 
stone " with considerable force. If all the sticks fall with the sides 
without grooves uppermost, the play is called " white," and counts ten. 
If all the grooved sides come uppermost, it is called >k red," and counts 
five. Both of these throws entitle the player to another throw. I f one 
grooved side is uppermost, it counts one; two grooved sides, two, and 
three grooved sides, three. The game is played by any even number 



1 Zohn, "creek;" ahl, ''wood." 

-Nos. 16535, 16536, Mus. Arch. Univ. Penn. Collected by Lieut. II. I.. Rcott, l. 8. A.. 
who kindly furnished the description of the game. 



688 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

of girls or women (never by men or boys), half on one side the line N S 
and half on the other. The flat aid stone is placed in the middle of 
the cloth, and the players kneel on the edge. The two awls are stuck 
in the creek at 1 1. The player at A makes the first throw, and the 
throwing goes around the circle in the direction of the hands of a 
watch, each side counting the results of each throw on the u awl cloth" 
by sticking its awl just beyond the mark called for by the results of 
the throw. The moves are made in opposite directions, as indicated by 
the arrows. 

If in counting any awl gets into the "creek" at N, that side must 
forfeit a counter to the other side and be set back to the "creek"' at S. 
That side is then said to have fallen into the "creek," the object being 
to "jump over." If in their passage around the circle the two "awls" 
get in the same division, the last comer is said to whip or kill the 
former, who forfeits a counter, and is set back to the beginning. The 
counting continues until one gets back to the "creek" at S. The one 
first at S receives a counter, and if there is more than enough to take 
it to the "creek," the surplus is added to the next round; that is, the 
"creek" is jumped, and the "awl" put beyond it as many points as 
may be over. When one side wins all the counters, it conquers. If the 
game should be broken up before this event, the side which has the 
greater number of counters is the victor. 1 

See account of game by Mr. James Mooney on page 731. 

This game was selected for exhibition from many similar games played 
by different tribes in America as readily illustrating the probable 
derivation of the four staves. Three of them will be seen to appear to 
be marked on one face with the feathered shaftment of an arrow, while 
the fourth probably represents the atlatl or " throwing stick." 

In the following pages a description is given of implements for Amer- 
ican games of the preceding type contained in various museums of the 
United States, together with accounts of the methods of play, arranged 
alphabetically under linguistic families and tribes. For the purpose of 
comparison all games in which objects are tossed to determine number 
are included. Their relations one to another, whatever they may be, will 
doubtless become apparent through this and subsequent collections. 

Lieutenant Scott further states that the Kiowa have a custom of wetting the 
fing<rs ami Blapping them several times on the stone hefore a throw, and calling out 
"red, red,'' or "'white, white, '' according to the number they desire to count; or, if 
but •• one " should be required to throw the opposite party into the ''creek,*' some- 
one puts her tinker into her mouth, and, drawing it carefully across the top of the 
-tone, calls out parko. parko ("'one, one")- Often hefore the throw the thrower 
will rub the tour sticks in a vertical position backward and forward several times 
between the palnis of the hands, to insure good luck. 

"The Comanche have a similar game which they play with eight ahl sticks, and the 
< heyenne and Arapaho are said to have a game which they play with ahl sticks, 
which are 2 feet or more long.*' (H. L. $.) 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



G89 



ALGONQUIAN STOCK. 

Arapaho. Cheyenne and Arapaho .Reservation, Indian Territory. 
(Cat. Nos. 152802, 152803, U.S.N.M.) 
Set of five dice of buffalo bone, marked on one side with burned 







Fig. 8. 

SET OF BONE DICE. 

Lengths, £ and If inches. 
Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 152S02, U.S.N.M. 




designs (fig. 8), and basket of woven grass, 9 inches in diameter at 
top and 2J inches deep (fig. 9). The rim of the basket is bound with 
cotton clotb, and the inner side of the bottom is covered with the same 




Fig. 9. 

BASKET FOR DICE GAME. 

Diameter, 9 inches. 

Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory. 

<\v. N - -'. D.S.N.M. 

material. The game is played by women. Collected by James Mooney, 
1891. 

NAT MUS 90 14 



690 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

The following account of the game is given by the collector: 1 

The dice game is called ta-ii seta Una (literally, "striking" or "throwing against" 
something) by the Arapaho, and Monxhimiinh by the Cheyenne, the same name being 
now gh en to the modern card games. It was practically universal among all the tribes 
east and west, and, under the name of hubbub, is described by a New England writer 2 
as far back as 1631 almost precisely as it exists to-day among the prairie tribes. 
The only difference seems to have been that in the east it was played also by the 
men, and to the accompaniment of a song, such as is used in the hand games of the 
\\<stern tribes. The requisites are a small wicker bowl or basket (hat c chi na), five 
dice made of bone or plum stones, and a pile of tally sticks, such as are used in the 
aw] game. The bowl is 6 or 8 inches in diameter and about 2 inches deep, and is woven 
in basket fashion of the tough fibers of the yucca. The dice may be round, elliptical, 
or diamond shaped, and are variously marked on one side with lines or figures, the 
turtle being a favorite design among the Arapaho. Two of the five must be alike in 
shape and marking. The other three are marked with another design and may also 
be of another shape. Any number of women and girls may play, each throwing in 
turn, and sometimes one set of partners playing against another. The partners toss 
up the dice from the basket, letting them drop again into it, and score points accord- 
ing to the way the dice turn up in the basket. The first throw by each player is 
made from the hand instead of from the basket. One hundred points usually count 
a game, and stakes are wagered on the result as in almost every other Indian contest 
of skill or chance. For the purpose of explanation we shall designate two of the 
live as "rounds" and the other three as "diamonds," it being understood that only 
the marked side counts in the game, exceptiug when the throw happens to turn up 
the three " diamonds" blank while the other two show the marked side, or, as some- 
times happens, when all five dice turn up blank. In every case all of one kind at 
least must turn up to score a point. A successful throw entitles the player to 
another throw, while a failure obliges her to pass the basket to someone else. The 
formula is : 

1 only of either kind = 

2 rounds = 3 

3 diamonds (both rounds with blank side up) =3 

3 diamonds blank (both rounds with marked side up) = 3 

4 marked side up = 1 

5 (all) blank sides up = 1 
5 (all) marked sides up = 8 

A game similar in principle, but played with six dice instead of five, is also played 
by the Arapaho women, as well as by those of the Comauche and probably also of 
other tribes. 

Auapaho. Indian Territory. (Oat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M.) 

et of five bone dice marked on convex side with burned designs 
(fig. 10), and much worn basket of woven grass 10 inches in diameter 
at top and 2 inches deep (fig. 11). Collected by H. E. Voth. 

Arapaho. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 165765a, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of five wooden dice, marked on one side with burned designs 
(fig. 12), representing on three a swallow or swallow hawk, and on two a 
dragon-fly. With preceding (Cat. No. 165765). Collected by H. R. Voth. 



1 The Ghost Daruc religion, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 
Washington, 1896, II, p. 1001. 
-William Wood, New England Prospect, London, 1634. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



691 



Mr. dishing suggested to the writer that these blocks were probably 
derived from similar gaming implements made of shards of pottery. 

Arapaho. Darlington, Oklahoma. 

Set of four dice; two oval bones, 1£ inches in greatest diameter with 








Fig. 10. 

SET OF BONE DICE. 

Length, 1$ to 2£ inches. 
Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M. 



burned designs on one side, and two worked peach stones, also burned 
|| inch in greatest diameter (fig. 13). Opposite sides unmarked. Also 
shallow basket of woven grass, 9J inches in diameter at top and If 




Fig. 11. 

BASKET FOR DICE GAME. 

Diameter, 10 inoht 
Arapaho Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 165765, U.S.N.M- 

inches deep. Collected by Mr. Abram I). Nace about 1888. They are 
now in the private collection of Mr. Charles H. Stephens, of Phila- 
delphia, Pennsylvania. 

Cheyenne. Cheyenne and Arapaho Reservation, Indian Territory. 
(Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N.M.) 
Set of five bone dice marked on one side with burned designs 



692 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



(tig. 14), and basket of woven grass 8J inches in diameter at top and 
L'A inches deep (fig. 15). Both sides of the bottom are covered with 
cotton cloth. Played by women. Collected by Mr. James Mooney, 1891. 

Mr. George Bird 
Grinnell has kindly 
furnished the writer 
with the following un- 
published account of 
the Cheyenne basket 
game, which he de- 
scribes under the name 
of Mon shi mo ut. 







Fig. 12. 

SET OF WOODEN DICE. 

Length, 1| inches. 
Arapaho Indiana, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 165765a, U.S.N. M. 



The Cheyenne seed, or 

basket game, is played 

with a shallow bowl and five plum stones. The bowl (Plate 4) is from 3 to 4 inches 

deep, 8 inches across at the top — flattened or not on the bottom — and woven of grass 

or strips of willow twigs. It is nearly one-half an inch thick, and is strong. All 







Fig. VS. 
GAMING DISKS, BONE AND WORKED PEACH STONES. 

Diameters, 1£ and ^{j inches. 
Arapaho, Oklahoma. 

Collection of Charles H. Stephens. 



five seeds are unmarked on one side, but on the other (Plate 4) three are marked 
with a figure represeuting the paint patterns often used by girls on their faces, 
the cross being on the bridge of the nose, the side marks on the cheeks, and the 






Fig. 14. 

SET OF BONE DICE. 

Lengths, J and 1J inches. 
Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N. M. 

upper and lower ones on the forehead and chin, respectively. The other two stones 
are marked with a figure representing the foot of a bear. 1 
These plum-stones are placed in the basket, thrown up and caught in it, and the 

Mr. ( nailing identifies the mark of the. cross with a star and the other with a 
1). Hi's track, referring, respectively, to the sky and earth. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm 



Plate 4. 




■ % r\^*,~ ***** ■*t0HiJ* r t*fcw. tm 

V **Hr l£* r ■ - ,r % AE 








Plum Stones and Basket for Game. 

Cheyenne Indians, Montana. 

Collection of Bird GrinnelL 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



693 



combination of the sides which lie uppermost after they have fallen, determines the 
count of the throw. 

The players sit opposite one another, and, if several are playing, in two rows facing 
each other. Each individual bets with the woman opposite to her. Each player is 
provided with eight sticks, which represent the points which she must gain or lose 
to win or lose the game. When a player has won all the sticks belonging to her 
opponent she has won the game and the stake. 

There are several combinations of marks and blanks which count nothing for or 
against the player making the throw, except that she loses her chance to make 
another throw. Others entitle the thrower to receive one, three, or even all 
eight sticks, and each throw that counts anything entitles the player to another 
throw. All the players on the side of the thrower, i. e., in the same row, win or 
lose from those opposite to them as the thrower wins or loses. If the person making 
the iirst throw casts a blank, she passes the basket to the one sitting next her; if 
tnis one makes a throw that counts, she has another and another, until she throws a 




Fig. 15. 

BASKET FOR DICE GAME. 

Diameter at top, 8£ inches. 
Cheyenne Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 152803, U.S.N. M. 



blank, when the basket passes on. When the basket reaches the end of the line, it 
is handed across to the woman at the end of the opposite row, and in the same way 
travels down the opposite line. 

In making the throw the basket is raised only a little way, and the stones tossed 
only a few inches high. Before they fall the basket is brought smartly down to the 
ground, against which it strikes with some little noise. Some of the throws are 
given below, the sides of the seeds being designated by their marks: 

2 blanks, 2 bears, and 1 cross count nothing. 

4 blanks and 1 bear count nothing. 

5 blanks count I point; thrower takes 1 stick. 

3 blanks and 2 bears count 1 point; thrower takes 1 stick. 

1 blank, 2 bears, and 2 crosses count 1 point; thrower takes 1 stick. 

2 blanks and 3 crosses count 3 points; thrower takes 3 sticks. 

2 bears and 3 crosses count 8 points; thrower takes 8 sticks, and wins the game. 

The women do not sing at this game, but they chatter and joke continually a> the 
play goes on. 



fi94 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Mr. Grinnell informs me that the specimen figured came from the 
"Northern Cheyenne Agency, officially kno\vn as the Tongue River 
Agemy. in Montana, the Indians living on Rosebud and Tongue rivers, 
which are tributaries of the Yellowstone from the south. At the same 
time the southern Cheyennes of Indian Territory have the same game." 

Chippewa. Lake Superior Region. 

Schoolcraft 1 describes the bowl game of the Chippewa under the 
name ol'pugyesainy. 





2 










Fig. 16. 

DICE FOR BOWL GAME. 

Chippewa Indians. 

After Schoolcraft. 



It i< played with thirteen pieces, uine of which are formed of bone and four of 
braes, all of circular shape fig. 10). The right side of the eight pieces of hone are 
stained red. with edges and dots burned black with a hot iron; the reverse is white. 
The braefl pieces have the right side convex and the reverse concave. The convex 
surface is bright, the concave dark or dull. 

The first piece, called iuinees, or ogima, represents a ruler. No. 2 typifies an am- 
phibious monster, and is called '/itchy kindbik, or tbe great serpent. No. 3 represents 
the war club. No. 4 is a fish [kenozha). No. 5 are small disks of brass, and Xo. 6, a 
duck. h1ic< xheeb. 



Information respecting the history, conditions, and prospects of the Indian tribes 

of the b'uited .States, Philadelphia, 1863, II, p. 72. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 695 

The game is won by the red pieces, the arithmetical value of each of which is 
fixed, and the count, as in all games of chance, is advanced or retarded by the luck 
of the throw. Nothing is required but a wooden bowl, which is curiously carved 
and ornamented (the owner relying somewhat on magic influence), and having a 
plain, smooth surface. 

The author gives the counts for sixteen different throws from one 
hundred and fifty-eight down to two. 

Long 1 gives the following description of the bowl game among the 
Chippewa: 

Athtergain, or miss none but catch all, is also a favorite amusement with them, in 
which the women frequently take part. It is played with a number of hard beans, 
black and white, one of which has small spots and is called king; they are put into 
a shallow wooden bowl and shaken alternately by each party, who sit on the ground 
opposite to one another; whoever is dexterous enough to make the spotted bean 
jump out of the bowl receives of the adverse party as many beans as there are spots; 
the rest of the beans do not count for anything. 

The following account, given by J. G. Kohl, 2 who does not designate 
the particular tribe, probably refers to the Chippewa: 

The game called by the Indians pagessan, and which I frequently saw played, the 
Canadians call le jeu an plat (the game of the bowl). It is a game of hazard, but 
skill plays a considerable part in it. It is played with a wooden bowl and a number 
of small figures bearing some resemblance to our chessmen. They are usually carved 
very neatly out of bones, wood, or plum stones, and represent various things — a fish, 
a hand, a door, a man, a canoe, a half-moou, etc. They call these figures pagessan ag 
(carved plum stones), and the game has received its name from them. Each figure 
has a foot on which it can stand upright. They are all thrown into a wooden bowl 
(in Indian onagan), whence the French name is derived. The players make a hole 
in the ground and thrust the bowl with the figures into it, while giving it a slight 
shake. The more figures stand upright on the smooth bottom of the bowl through 
this shake all the better for the player. Each figure has its value, and some of 
them represent to a certain extent the pieces in the game of chess. There are also 
other figures, which may similarly be called the pawns. The latter, carved into 
small round stars, are all alike, have no pedestal, but are red on one side and plain 
on the other, and are counted as plus or minus according to the side uppermost. 
With the pawns it is a perfect chance which side is up, but with the pieces much 
depends on the skill with which the bowl is shaken. The other rules and mode of 
calculation are said to be very complicated, and the game is played with great 
attention and passion. 

Cree. 
In Father Lacombe's Cree dictionary ' we fimljende ha8ard,pakes8ewin. 

Illinois. Illinois. 

It would appear from a manuscript Illinois dictionary in the library 
of Dr. J. Hammond Trumbull 4 that this tribe was familiar with the 
game of plum-stones. 

1 J. Long, Voyages and Travels of an Indian Interpreter, London, 1701. p. 52. 

2 Kitchi-Gami, Wanderings Round Lake Superior, London, 1860, p. 82. 

3 ReV. Pero Alb. Lacombe, Dictionnaire de la languo des Cris, Montreal. 1874. 
4 Andrew McFarland Davis, Indian Games, Bulletin of the Essex Institute, XVIII, 
p. 187. 




(J!)!! REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

M ass aciiusetts. Massachusetts. 
William Wood, iu his " New England Prospect," ' relates the following : 

They have two sorts of games, one called puim, the other hubbub, not much unlike 
(aids and dice. Hubbub is five small hones in a small smooth tray, the hones he 
like a die bul something Hatter, black on the one side and white on the other, which 
they place on the ground, gainst which violently thumping the platter, the hones 
mount changing colors with the windy whiskiug of their hands to and fro, which 
action in that sport they much use, smiting themselves on the hreast and thighs, 
crying out Huh Huh Huh. They may he heard playing this game a quarter of a 
mile on . The hones heing all black or white make a double game: if three of one 
color and two of another, then they afford hut a single game; four of a color and 

oue differing is nothing. So long as the 
man wins he keeps the tray, but if he lose 
the next man takes it. 

Menominee. Wisconsin. 

Dr. Walter J. Hoffman 2 describes 
the Menominee form of the game 
under the name of a Icqa' shcok. 

It was frequently played in former times, 
but of late is rarely seen. It is played for 
■^ igl7, purposes of gambling, either by two indi- 

gambling bowl. viduals or by two sets of players. A hem- 

Menominee Indians. ispheric bowl (fig. 17), made out of the 

After Hoffman. large round nodules of a maple root, is 

cut and hollowed out. The howl is symmetric and is very nicely finished. It meas- 
ures 13 inches in diameter at the rim, and is 6 inches in depth. It measures f inch 
in thickness at the rim, hut gradually increases in thickness toward the bottom, 
which is about an inch thick. There are forty counters, called ma'atik, made of 
twigs or trimmed sticks of pine or other wood, each about 12 inches long and from 
i to £ inch thick. Half of these are colored red, the other half black, or perhaps 
left their natural whitish color. 

The dice or asla'sianok consists of eight pieces of deer horn, about f inch in diam- 
eter and ^ inch thick, but thinner toward the edges. Sometimes plum-stones or 
even pieces of wood are taken, one side of them heing colored red, the other side 
remaining white or uucolored. When the players sit down to play the bowl containing 
the dice is placed on the ground between the opponents; bets are made; the first 
player begins a song in which the other players as well as the spectators join. At a 
certain moment the one to play first strikes the bowl a smart tap, which causes the 
dice to fly upward from the bottom of the bowl, and as they fall and settle the resultis 
watched with very keen interest. The value represented by the position of.the dice 
represents the number of counters which the player is permitted to take from the 
ground. The value of the throw is as follows : 

First throw, 1 red dice and 4 white, a draw. ■ 

Second throw, 5 red dice and 3 white, counts 1. 
Third throw, (> red dice and 2 white, counts 4. 
Fourth throw, 7 red dice and 1 white, counts 20. 
Fifth throw, 8 red dice and white, counts 40. 
The players strike the howl alternately until one person wins all the counters — 
both those on the ground and those which the opponent may have won. 

1 London, 1634. 

'The Menominee Indians, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of American 
Ethnology, p. 241. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



697 






Micmac. Nova Scotia. (Cat. No. 18850, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penu.) 

Set of six buttons of vegetable ivory (fig. 18) (actual buttons), about J 
inch in diameter, rounded and unmarked on one side and tint with a dot- 
ted cross on the other, being 
modern substitutes for 
similar objects of caribou 
bone. Bowl of wood (fig. 
19), nearly flat, 11J inches 
in diameter. Fifty-one 
round counting- sticks (fig. 
20), 7J inches in length, and 
four counting- sticks (fig. 
21),7£inchesinlength. Col- 
lected by the donor, Stans- 
bury T. Hager. The follow- 
ing account of the game is 
given by the collector : ' 

A game much in use within 
the wigwams of the Micmac in 

former times is that called by some writers altestakun or woltes takun. By good native 
authority it is said that the proper name for it is wdlttstomkwon. It is a kind of dice 






Fig. 18. 
SET OF BUTTONS FOR DICE IN WOLTES TAKUN. 

Diameter, g inch. 
Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. 

Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Aivha-ology, University of Pennsylvania. 




Fig. 19. 

WOODEN BOWL FOR W5LT*B TAKl N N. 

Diameter, \\\ Inches. 

Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. 

Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archeology, I'niv. rsity of Pennsylvania. 

game of unknown antiquity, undoubtedly of pre-Columbian 01 igin. [t is played upon 
a circular wooden dish-properly rock maple— almost exactly a foot m diamt 

1 Micmac Customs andTraditions, The American Anthropologist, January, 1895, p. 31. 



698 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



hollowed to a depth of about finch in the center. This dish plays an important Bole 
in i he older legends of the Micinacs. Filled with water and left over night, its 
appearance next morning serves to reveal hidden knowledge of past, present, and 
future. It is also said to have been used as a vessel upon an ark'ite trip. The dice 
of caribou bone are six in number, having Hat faces and rounded sides. One face is 
plain; the other bears a dotted cross (lig. 18). AY In u all the marked or all the 
unmarked faces are turned up there is a count of five points; if five marked faces 
and one unmarked face or five unmarked faces and one marked face are turned up, 
one point results; if a die falls off the dish there is no count. There are fifty-five 
counting sticks — fifty-one plain rounded ones about 74 inches long, a king-pin 1 
shaped like the forward half of an arrow, and three notched sticks, each present- 
ing half of the rear end of an arrow. These last four are about 8 inches long. 
Three of the plain sticks form a count of one point, the notched sticks have a value 
of five points, while the king-pin varies in value, being used as fifty-second plain 
stick, except when it stands alone in the general pile; then it has, like the notched 
sticks, a value of five points. Thus the possible points of the count are seventeen 
(one-third of fifty-one) on the plain sticks and fifteen (five times three) on the three 
notched sticks, a total of thirty-two; but by a complex system the count may be 
extended indefinitely. In playing the game two players sit opposite each other, 
their legs crossed in a characteristic manner, and the dish, or wolfes, between them 
usually placed on a thick piece of leather or cloth. A squaw keeps the score on the 




Fig. 20. 

COUNTING STICKS FOR WOLTES TAKUN. 

Length, 7J inches. 
Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. 

Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



counting sticks, which at first lie together. The six dice are placed on a dish with 
their marked faces down ; one of the players takes the dish in both hands, raises it 
an inch or two from the ground, and brings it down again with considerable force, 
thus turning the dice. If all but one of the upturned faces are marked or unmarked, 

'Mr. Hager informs me that the king-pin is called kesegoo — "the old man " — and 
that the notched sticks are his three wives and the plain sticks his children. The 
Micmac explains these names by saying that when a stranger calls the children 
come out of the wigwam first, then the women, and then the head of the family ; and 
bhie is tin- way it happens when one plays at woltrstomkwon. "The technical name 
for the king-pin is nandaymclgawasch and for the wives tkomoowaal, both of which 
names mean, they say, 'it counts five' and 'they count five.' Nan is the Micmac for 
'live,' but no numeral of which I know appears in the second name." Mr. Hager 
regards the polygamous element in the game as a good indication of its antiquity, 
if, he adds, '-Mich indeed be necessary." Referring to the passes described by Mrs. 
W. \Y. Brown, in her paper on the games of the Wabanaki Indians (see p. 708), he 
says: "These passes arc made byHhe Micmac in wdltestomkwdn by passing the right 
hand rapidly to the left over the dish, and shutting it exactly as if catching a fly." 
Wedding ceremonies among the Micmac were celebrated by the guests for four days 
thereafter. On the first day they danced the serpent dance, on the second they 
played football (tooad'yik), on the third they played lacrosse (madijik), and on the 
fourth u'oltfstumkwun. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



699 



he repeats the toss and continues to do so as long as one of these combinations 
results. When he fails to score, the amount of his winnings is withdrawn from the 
general pile and forms the nucleus of his private pile. His opponent repeats the 






Fig. 21. 

COUNTING STICKS FOR WOLTES TAKUN. 

Length. 7£ inches. 
Micmac Indians, Nova Scotia. 

Cat. No. 18850, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

dice-throwing until he also fails to score. Two successive throws of either a single 
point or of five points count thrice the amount of one throw; that is, three points 
or fifteen points, respectively. Three successive throws count five times as much as 




Fig. 22. 

counting sticks (gangi). 

Length, 2 inohes. 

Japan. 

Cat. No. 18806, Museum of Archeology, l nlverrity of Panmyh 

a single throw, etc. After the pile of counting-sticks has been exhausted, a new 
feature is introduced in the count. The player who scores firsi tak< B a single plain 

stick from his pile and places it by Itself, with one of its sides lacing him- to repre- 



TOO REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

sent one point, and perpendicular to this, either horizontally or vertically, to rep- 
resent five points.' 

lie continues to add sticks thus as he continues to score. This use of the sticks as 
counters to indicate unpaid winnings is a device for deferring further settlement 
until the game seems near its end, and also serves to increase the count indefinitely 
to meet the indefinite duration of the game, as after one player secures a token his 
opponent, when he scores,. merely reduces the former's pile by the value of his 
score. The reduction is effected l>y returning from the token pile to the private pile 
the amount of the opponent's score; hence at any time the token pile represents the 
amount of advantage which its owner has obtained since the last settlement. 
These settlements are made whenever either party may desire it; this, however, is 
supposed to be whenever a player's token pile seems to represent a value approaching 
the limit of his opponent's ability to pay. If his opponent should permit the settle- 
ment to be deferred until he were no longer able to pay his debts, then he would 
lose the game to the first player; whereas, if one player after the settlement retains 
fiv # e plain sticks but not more, a new feature is introduced which favors him. If, 
while retaining his five sticks, he can score five points before his opponent scores at 
all, he wins the game in spite of the much greater amount of his opponent's win- 
nings up to that point. If his opponent scores one point only before he obtains his 
five points, he still has a chance, though a less promising one. If, after paying over 
the three plain sticks that represent a single point two plain sticks still remain to 
him, he is then compelled to win seven points before his opponent wins one or he 
forfeits the game; but if he succeeds in winning his seven points, the game is still 
his. However, in these last chances he is further handicapped by the rule that he 
can at no time score more points than are represented in his private pile. Conse- 
quently, if with ouly five plain sticks in his possession he could only score a single 
point, even if his toss should call for five; but with six plain sticks he could score 
two points; with nine sticks, three, etc. The last chances are : With only five plain 
sticks, five points are necessary to win; with three sticks, six points; with two 
sticks, seven points ; with one stick, seven points. There are two other minor rules : 
One, that in counting five points on plain sticks four bundles of four each are given 
instead of five bundles of three each, as one should expect; total, sixteen. The 
other rule is that to count six points we use a notched stick plus only two plain 
sticks, instead of three, as might be expected. 

This game may be regarded as an American analogue of the Chinese 
game of Chong iln ch'au (No. 27). 

Mr. Hager states that the preceding game was invented and taught 
by the hero Glooscap. They also have a similar game called Wobund- 
runkj which, they say, was invented and owned by Mikchikch, the turtle, 
one of Glooscap's companions, to whose shell the dice bear some resem- 
blance. 2 The name WdbUndrunh is derived from wobiin, meaning dawn ; 
to which is added a termination signifying anything molded or worked 
upon by human hands. 3 



'This system of scoring is identical with that used in Japan with the counting- 
sticks, or sangi (Chinese, siin muk). One is indicated by a stick arranged A r ertically, 
and live by a stick placed horizontally. A set of sangi in the University Museum (Cat. 
No. 18300; (fig. 22), consists of one hundred and twenty-seven little wooden blocks, 
1 inches in length, and about £ inch square in section. Sangi are, or rather were 
employed in Japan in the higher mathematics, the use of the soroban or abacus not 
being customary with scholars. 

The account of WSbunwrwnk is from an unpublished manuscript by Mr. Hager, 
which lie courteously placed in my hands. 

Prom the fact that white shell beads (wampum) are constantly referred to as 
being used as stakes, not only among the tribes of the Atlantic coast but in the 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



701 




Fig. 23. 

GAMING DISK FOR WOBUNARUNK. 

Diameter, 1} inches. 
Miomac Indians, Xova Scotia. 

From :i drawing by Stansbury Hager. 



Tbe outfit for the game consists simply of six dice, made from moose 
or caribou bone, though one Micmac at least is positive that the teeth 
only of these animals can properly be used. In playing, these dice are 
thrown from the right hand upon the 
ground and the points are counted accord- 
ing to the number of marked or unmarked 
faces which fall uppermost. It is cus- 
tomary for a player to pass his hand 
quickly over the dice, if possible, after 
he has tossed them and before they reach 
the ground, in order to secure good luck. 
The shape of the dice is that of a decid- 
edly flattened hemisphere, the curved 
portion being unmarked. The base or 
flat surface is about the size of a 25- cent 
piece and presents three figures (fig. 23). 
Close to its edge there is a circle, touched 
at four points by a series of looped curves, 
which form a kind of cross. Within each 
of the four spaces thus separated is an 

equal-armed cross composed of nine dots, which, with the dot in the 
center of the die, make a total of thirty-seven dots upon each piece, 
or of two hundred and twenty-two dots (37 by 6) used in the game. 1 

Southwest (see Cushing's account of tbe white shell beads used in Sho'-H-we), tbe 
writer is inclined to believe tbat tbe name of tbis same Wdbitnarunk is derived from 
the use of wampum (wobun, "white," so called from tbe wbito heads), as stakes 
for which it was played. Again, it may refer to the white disks ; but, however this 
maybe, a peculiar significance is attached to the use of sbell beads as gambling 
counters or stakes. In the Chinese game of Fan t'dn tbe stakes are represented by 
specially made white and black counters, known as wbito and black "pearls." 

'"In view of the numerical suggestiveness of dots and of tbe presence of that 
peculiar repetition of numbers which characterizes all triple multiples of tbe key 
number thirty-seven, it may be worthy of note that the number of dots included in 
the seven counts of the game is seven hundred and seventy-seven. The Micmac lan- 
guage contains native words for numbers as great as a million, and, as Dr. Eland 
says, is capable of indefinite numerical extension, a fact which surely appears to 
involve some knowledge of the properties of numbers. That certain numbers have 
been used as symbols in ritual and myth is quite as unquestionable among the 
Micmacsas among so many tribes and peoples, primitive and otherwise. The impor- 
tance of such dice games in developing and extending the knowledge of numbers is 
self-evident. As to the figures upon the dice, tbe use of tbe cross from prehistoric 
times as a native symbol throughout the length and breadth of tbe Americas is too 
well known to justify further comment. The Micmacs painted it upon their canoes 
and wigwams and attributed to it marvelous efficacy as a healing power. To play 
either Wdltrstdmkwon or Wdbundrunk with dice from which the cross is omitted would 
be certain, they believed, to bring dire misfortune upon all participants. Several 
Micmacs have related to me, almost word for \\ ord, the same Legend of the origin of 
the cross among them that was reported by IVro Leeb-reo, at (iaspemore than two 
centuries ago; and it is noticeable that this legend contains no Christian element. 
They also associated this symbol with the four quarters into which they divided the 
land for the purpose of collecting medicinal roots and herbs, while a circle repre- 
sents to them either that of their win \\ am or of the horizon. The tl.it surface of the 
die, therefore, with its four crosses and surrounding circle, may symbolize the world- 



702 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



The count is as follows: 

If t) marked faces fall face up, 50 points. 
If 5 marked faces fall face up, 5 points. 
If 4 marked laces fall lace up, 4 points. 
If 3 marked faces fall face op, 3 points. 
If 2 marked faces fall face up, 2 points. 
If 1 marked face falls face up, 1 point. 
If I) unmarked faces fall face up, 5 points. 
Total, 7 counts and 70 points. 

The marks on the Micmac dice are similar to those on some of the 
inscribed shell beads known as runtee.s, found in the State of Xew 
York. One of these (fig. 24), (reproduced from Prof. W. H. Holmes's 
Art in Shell of the Ancient Americans), 1 is from an ancient village 
site at Pompey, which Eev. W. M. Beauchamp, of Baldwinsville, Xew 
York, attributes to the seventeenth century. Mr. Beauchainp writes 

me that both sides -are alike, and that 
it is pierced with two holes from edge 
to edge. 

Micmac. Xew Brunswick, Canada. 
(Cat. Xo. 20125, Mus. Arch., Univ. 
Penn.) 
Set of six disks of caribou bone 
marked on the flat side (fig. 25); a 
platter of curly maple cut across the 
grain, 11J inches in diameter, and fifty- 
two wooden counting sticks about 8 
inches in length (fig. 26), four being 
much broader than the others and of 
different shapes, as shown in the figure. 
Collected and deposited by Mr. George 
E. Starr, who purchased the game from 
a woman named Susan Perley, a member of a tribe calling themselves 
the Tobique, at an Indian village half a mile north of Andover, Xew 
Brunswick. Three of the disks and the counting sticks were made for 
the collector, while the platter and three of the disks shown in the upper 
row (fig. 25) are old. Two of the latter are made apparently of old bone 




Fig. 24. 

BNGBAVED SHELL BEAD (runtee). 

Pompey, New York. 



wide concept of the four earth regions encircled by the horizon line and beneath the 
curve of the sky represented by the curved surface. The looped figure may extend 
the fourfold division to the sky, or it may be merely a combination of the two other 
Bymbols. At least, that each design had some particular meaning can hardly be 
questioned, for the Micmac still objects to playing the game if one be incorrectly 
drawn. A comparison of the two Micmac dice games shows the same number of dice 
in each and the cross and circle appear on both sets, although in slightly differing 
size and design. The dice of one game are, however, never used in the other. 
Their counts differ radically, save that the ubiquitous number seven is prominent in 
both, and finally Wdbunarunk lacks altogether the bow- and arrow elements and 
their mystic attributes, still, the resemblance is sufficiently close to suggest a pos- 
sible unity of origin." B. II.) 

1 Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, 1881, plate xxxiv, fig. 4. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



703 



buttons, there being a hole on the reverse in which the shank fitted. 
The designs on the faces are not the same. The woman informed Mr. 
Starr that the game was called Altes tdgen, and that it was played by 
two persons, one of whom places the counting sticks in a pile together. 
Then the stones are placed at random in the plate, which is held in 
both hands and struck sharply ou the ground so as to make the stones 
Hy in the air and turn before landing in the plate again. A player 
continues as long as he scores, taking counters from the pile of sticks 
according to his throw. When the pile is exhausted, each having ob- 
tained part, the game is continued until one wins them all. Three plain 
sticks count one point. The three carved sticks each count four points, 









Fig. 25. 

BONE GAMINO DISKS. 

Diameter, 1 inch. 

Tobique (Micniac) Indians, New Brunswick. 

Cat. No. 20126, Museum Archeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

or twelve plain sticks. The snake-like stick is kept to the last, and equals 
three plain sticks, and a throw that counts three is necessary to take it. 

Micmac. New Brunswick. (Cat. No. 50804, Peabody Museum.) 

Set of six dice made of antler, j to J inch in diameter, marked on flat 
side with six-rayed star; bowl of birch wood, 1 1 \ inches ill diameter, 
and fifty-four counting sticks (fig. 27), consisting of fifty plain sticks 
and four larger sticks. The latter comprise one stick with three serra- 
tions on side near one end, two each with four serrations, and one 
resembling the feathered shaftment of an arrow with three serrations 
ou either side. Collected by Mr. G. M. West 

MiCMAC. Hampton, New Brunswick. (Cat. No. 50792, Peabody 
Museum.) 
Five dice of antler, J to J inch in diameter, marked on tlat side with 
four-rayed star; bowl of birch wood, 9J inches in diameter, and tilt v two 



704 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



counting sticks consisting of forty-eight plain sticks and four larger 
sticks. The latter comprise one stick with five serrations on one side 
uear one end, two, each with four serrations, and one resembling 
leathered arrow shaftment with serrations on each side. The counting 
sticks in this and the preceding game are in part of bamboo. 

It will be subsequently shown that the greater part of the objects 
used as dice, canes, blocks, bones and beaver teeth, in the games of this 
series can be directly traced to cane arrows and the atlatl or throwing 
stick. While such a connection can not be established for the engraved 






Fig. 26. 

COUNTING STICKS FOR ALTES TAGEN. 

Length, about 8 inches. 
Micmac Indians, Xew Brunswick. 

Cat. No. 20125, Museum Archwology, University of Pennsylvania. 



bone disks of the Micmac, the three arrows and atlatl appear in the 
counting sticks (fig. 21). In some sets (as fig. 31) the atlatl appears 
replaced by a bow or serpent-like object. 

N a B i:ai . ANSBTT. Rhode Island. 

Roger Williams, in his u Key into the Language of America," 1 
describes the games of the Narragausett as of two sorts — private and 
public. "They have a kiude of dice which are Plumb stones painted, 
which they cast iii a Tray with a mighty noyse and sweating." He gives 
the following words referring to this game: Wuimaugonhommin, "to 



London, 1643; Collections of the Rhode Island Historical Society. I, Providence, 
l^i-T: also, Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, for the year 1794, III, 
p. 324. Cited by Andrew MeFarland Davis, Indian Games, Bulletin of the Essex 
fastitnte, XVIII. p. 173, to whom I am indebted ior the reference. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 705 

play at dice in their Tray ; w Asauanash, "the painted plumb stones with 
which they throw;" and JPuttuckquapuonek, "A playing Arbour." He 

describes the latter as made of long poles set in the earth, four square, 
16 or 20 feet high, on which they hang great store of their stringed 
money, having great staking, town against town, and two choseu out 
of the rest by course to play the game at this kind of dice in the midst 
of all their abettors, with great shouting and solemnity. He also says: 

The chief gamesters among them much desire to make their gods side with them 
in their games; therefore 1 have seen them keep as a precious stone a piece of thun- 
derbolt, which is like unto a crystal, which they dig out of the ground under some 
tree thunder smitten, and from this stone they have an opinion of success. 

Nipissing. Forty miles above Montreal, Canada. 

Mr. J. A. Cuoq 1 describes the plum stone game among this tribe under 
the name of Pakesanak, which he says is the usual name given to five 
plum-stones, each marked with several dots on one side only. Four or 
five women squatting around a blanket make the stones jump about 
the height of their forehead, and according to their falling on one or 
the other side the fate of the player is decided. Of late the game has 
been improved by using a platter instead of a cover (blanket), which 
caused the name of the " game of platter " to be given it by the whites. 

The name pakesanak is the plural of pakesan, defined as noyau, jeu. 
Dr. A. S. Gatschet has kindly given me the following analysis of this 
word : pake = to fall, to let fall, s = diminutive, an = suffix of inanimate 
nouns. 

Norridgewock. Xorridgewock, Maine. 

In the Dictionary of Father Sebastian Rasles, 2 a number of words' 
referring to games are defined, 4 from which it appears that the Xor- 
ridgewock Indians played a game with a bowl and eight disks (ronds), 
counting with grains. The disks were black on one side and white on 
the other. If black and white turned up four and four, or five and 

1 Lexique de la Langue Algonquine, Montreal, 1880. 

'Memoirs American Academy of Science and Arts, new series, I, Cambridge, 1833. 

3 Je joue avec des ronds blancs d'uu cote et noirs de L'antre, ncderakke, v. nedanmh4, 
v. ncdaSv' annar. 

Les ronds, esse' Siinar; les grains, tat/Sssak. 

Les grains du jeu du plat, dicuntur dtiain, esscSanar. 

Lors qu'ils s'eu trouve du nombre de 8, 5 blancs et 3 noirs, v. ."> noirs et 3 blanos, 
vebarham, keb, etc. (on ne tire rion); idem lit de 4 blancs et 4 noirs. 

Lors qu'il y en a 6 d'une couleur, et 2 de l'antre, neme88dam f ion tire 1 -rains'). 

Lors qu'il y en a 7d'une meme couleur, el qu'un de L'antre, ned4n48i on en tire 10). 

Lors qu'ils sont tons 8 de meme couleur, n8rihara (on <-n tire 20). 

Xes(ika8i, je plante un bois dans terre p'r marqner lea parties. 

Je lui gagne une partie, je mets un bois p'r, etc., neg8dagaharaH. 

Xt'dasahamaiikS, il me demarqne une partie, il 6te un bois, etc. 

Jejoue au plat, n8afirad4hdma 3. 8an mc. 

Mets les petits ronds, etc., p8nS fys48anor. 

Nedvrakebena, je les mets. 

4 Indian Games, Bulletin of the Bases Lnatitate, Will, p. l v 7. 
NAT MUS 90 45 



706 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



three, there was no count; six and two counted four; seven and one, 
ten: and all eight of the same color, twenty. Davis remarks that 
"according to Kasles, the count was sometimes kept by thrusting 



^ 



-3 





Fig. 27. 

COUNTING STICKS. 

Length, 8 to 8£ inches. 
Micmac Indians, New Brunswick. 

Cat. No. 50804, Peabcdy Museum of American Archaeology. 

sticks into the ground. This is shown by Indian words used in the 
games which Rasles interprets respectively: 'I thrust a stick in the 
ground to mark the games f l I win a game from liim; I place a stick,' 
etc.; 'He takes the mark for a game away from me; he removes a 

stick,' etc.; 'He takes away all my marks; he re- 
moves them all," etc. 

Ojibwa. 

Tanner 1 describes the game as follows, under 
the name of Bugga-sanlc or Beg-ga-sah: 

The beg-ga-sali-nuk are small pieces of wood, bone, or 
sometimes of brass, made by cutting up an old kettle. One 
side they stain or color black, the other they aim to have 
bright. These may vary in number, but can never be fewer 
than nine. They are put together in a large wooden bowl 
or tray kept for the purpose. The two parties, sometimes 
twenty or thirty, sit down opposite to each other or in a 
circle. The play consists in striking the edge of the bowl 
in such a manner as to throw all the beg-ga-sah-nuk into the air, and on the'manner 
in which they fall into the tray depends his gain or loss. If his stroke has been to 
a certain extent fortunate, the player strikes again and again, as in the game of 
billiards, until he misses, when it passes to the next. 

The Bev. Peter Jones 2 says: 

In these bowl plays they use plum-stones. One side is burnt black and the other 
is left its natural color. Seven of these plums are placed in a wooden bowl and are 
then tossed up and caught. If they happen to turn up all white, or all black, they 
count so many. This is altogether a chance game. 

T A Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner, New York, 1830, 
p. 111. 

- History of the Ojibwa Indians, London, 1861, p. 135. 



Fig. 28. 

BONE DIE USED IN HOWL 

game (all tes-teg-enuk). 

Passamaq noddy Indians, 

Maine. 

After drawing by Mrs.W.W. Brown 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



707 



Passamaquoddy. Maine. 

The bowl game among these Indians is described by Mrs. W. W. 
Brown, J of Calais, Maine, under the name of All-tea teg-en uk. 




Fig. 29. 

MANNER OF HOLDING DiSH IN ALL-TES-TEG-ENUK. 

Passamaquoddy Indians, Maine. 

After Mrs. \V. W. Brown. 

It is played by two persons kneeling, a folded blanket between them serving as a 
cushion on which to strike the shallow wooden dish, named wal-tah-li il-mo g' n . This 
dish contains six thin bone disks (fig. 28), about £ inch in diameter, carved and col- 
ored on one side and plain on the other. These are tossed or turned over by holding 




E 



3* 



f£ 



Fig. 30. 

COUNTING STICKS. 

Length, f>i to C>1 inches. - 
Passamaquoddy Indians, Blaine. 

From sketch by Mrs. W. W. Brown. 



the dish firmly in the hands and striking down hard on the cushion (tig. 29). For 
counting in this game there are forty eight small sticks, almost ;"> inches in length, 
named ha-f/d-ta-md-ffti'iil; lour somewhat larger, named t'k'm-inni-tcal, and one 
notched, called non-ft-da-ma-wuch (fig. 30). 

'Some Indoor and Outdoor Games of the Wabanaki Indians, Trans. Boy. 9 
Canada, Sec. II, 1888, p. 41. 



708 



REPOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 




All the sticks are placed in a pile. The disks are put in the dish without order; 
each contestant can play while he wins, but, on his missing, the other takes the dish. 
Turning all the disks hut one, the player takes three small sticks; twice in succes- 
sion, nine sticks; three times in succession, one big stick or twelve small ones. 
Turning all alike once, he takes a big stick; twice in succession three big ones, or 
two, and lays a small one out to show what is done; three times in succession he 
stands a big stick up— equal to sixteen small ones from the opponent— the notched 
one to be the last taken of the small ones, it being equal to three. 

When all the small sticks are drawn and there are large ones left in the pile 
instead of taking three from the opponent the players lay one out to show that the 
other owes three sticks, and so on until the large ones are won. Then, unless the 
game is a draw, the second and more interesting stage begins, and the sticks have 
different value. Turning all the disks but one, the player lays out one, equal to four 
from an opponent. Turning all the disks but one, twice in succession, he lays three 

out, equal to twelve from 
the other — three times in 
succession — stands one up, 
equal to one large or sixteen 
small ones. Turning all 
alike, he sets up one large 
one, twice in succession; 
then three large ones or, 
lacking these, three small 
ones for each large one. 
This would end the game 
if the opponent had none 
standing, as there would be 
no sticks to pay the points. 
But a run of three times of 
one kind in succession is 
unusual. When one has not 
enough sticks to pay points 
won by the other, comes 
the real test of skill, 
although the former has 
still several superior 
chances to win the game. 
If he has five sticks, he has 
three chances; if seven or 
nine sticks, he has five 
chances— that is, he places the disks in position, all one side up, for each of the 
tosses ; the other contestant takes his turn at playing, but can not place the disks. 
Then giving the dish a peculiar slide, which they call la Ink, or "running down 
hill like water," and at the same time striking it down on the cushion, he may, 
unless the luck is sadly against him, win twice out of three times trying. 

To this day it is played with great animation, with incantations for good link 
and exorcising of evil spirits, by waving of hands aud crying tjon-tel-eg-ua-witch. 
At a run of ill luck there are peculiar passes made over the dish and a muttering 
of Mic-macsqus iiJc n'me lul-oolc ("I know there is a Micinac squaw around"). 

One of their legends tells of a game played by Youth against Old Age. The old 
man had much m'ta-ou-lin (magic power). He had regained his youth several times 
by inhaling the breath of youthful opponents. He had again grown old and sought 
another victim. When he found one whom he thought suited to his purpose, he 
invited him to a game of All-tcs-tcg-entU: The young man was also a m'ta-ou-lhi, 
and for a po-he-gan had K'che-bal-lock (spirit of the air) and, consequently, knew the 
old man's intention, yet he consented to a game. The old man's lodl-tah-hd-mo'y'n 




Fig. 31. 

SET OF COUNTING STICKS FOlt WER-LAR-DA-HAR MUN GUN. 

Penobscot Indians, Maine. 

Cat. No. 16551, Museum of Archeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



709 



was a skull, and the dll-tes-teg-enuk were the eyes of former victims. The game was 
a long ami exciting one, hut at each toss off hy the young man the disks were carried 
a little higher hy his po-hc-gan until they disappeared altogether. This broke up 
a game that has never heen completed. The legend says that the old man still 
waits and the young man still outwits him. 

Another Passamaquoddy game is described by Mrs. Brown under 
the name of Wy-pe7i-og-eniik. 

This game, like AU-tes-teg-eniik, has long heen a gamhling game. The disks are 
very similar, hut larger, and eight in numher. The players stand opposite each 
other with a blanket spread on the ground between them. The disks are held in 
the palm of the hand, and "chucked" on the blanket. This game is counted with 
sticks, the contestants determining the number of points necessary to win before 
commencing to play. 

Penobscot. " Oldtown Indians," Maine. (Cat. No. 16551, Mus. Arch., 

Univ. Penn.) 

Set of counting-sticks of unpainted white wood (fig. 31), copied at 

the Chicago Exposition by a Penobscot Indian from those in a set of 

gaming implements consisting of dice, counters and bowl, there ex- 





Fig. 32. 

LIMESTONE DISKS, POSSIBLY USED IN GAME. 

a, 1 inch in diameter; b, g inch in diameter. 
Nottawaaaga, Ontario, Canada. 

Archaeological Museum, Toronto, Canada. 

hibited by the late Chief Joseph Nicolar of Oldtown. The latter fur- 
nished the writer with the following account of the game under the 
name of Wer-lar-<l<i-har mini gun. 

The buttons used as dice in this game are, made from the shoulder blade of a 
moose; the counters of cedar wood. The latter are fifty-five in number, fifty-one 
being rounded splints about 6 inches in length, three flat splints of the same length, 
and one made in a zigzag shape. A soft bed is made in the ground, or on the floor, 
forthe dish to strike on. Two persons having been selected to play the game, they 
seat themselves opposite to each other. The buttons are placed in the dish and it is 
tossed up and brought down hard upon its soft bed. If live of the si\ buttons have 
the same side up, the player takes three round splints, but it' the entire six turn the 
same side up, it is called a double, and the player takes one of the tl.it ones. The 
game is continued until all the counters are drawn. 

It might naturally be inferred that remains of the bone disks used in 
the bowl game would be found in our archaeological museums, bul as 
yet I have not met with any. On the other hand small disks of pot 
tery and of stone frequently marked on one face are not uncommon, 
and are usually classified as gaining implements. I am indebted to 
Mr. David Boyle, curator of the Archaeological Museum, Toronto, for 
the sketch, fig. 32 a representing a small disk of soft white limestone 



710 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

from his collection, engraved with a cross on one side, fig. 32 b repre- 
senting a similar disk with a cross on both sides. 

Siksika (Blackfeet). Canada. 
Rev. Edward F. Wilson 1 says: 

Their chief amusements are horse racing and gambling. For the latter of these 
they employ dice of their own construction — little cubes of wood, with signs instead 
of numbers marked upon them. These they shake together in a wooden dish. 

Mr. J. W. Tims 2 gives Jcats&stnni as a general term for gambling. 

Mr. George Bird Grinnell has furnished me with the following unpub- 
lished account of the stave game among the Blackfeet, which he 
describes under the name of ties teh y "The stick or travois 3 game." 

This is a woman's gambling game, in vogue among the tribes of the Blackfoot 
nation, who know nothing of the basket or seed game, so generally played by the 
more southern plains tribes. 

Four straight bones — made from buffalo ribs — 6 or 8 inches long, £ inch thick, and 
about f inch wide, and tapering gradually to a blunt point at either end, are used 
in playing it (Plate 5). Three of these bones are unmarked on one side, and the 
fourth on this side has three or five transverse grooves running about it at its mid- 
dle, or sometimes no grooves are cut and the bone is marked by having a buckskin 
string tied around it. On their other sides the bones are marked, two of them by 
zigzag lines, running from one end to the other; another, called the chief, has 
thirteen equally distant holes drilled in, but not through it, from one end to the 
other. The fourth, called "four," from its four depressions or holes, has four trans- 
verse grooves close to each end, and within these is divided into four equal spaces 
by three sets of transverse grooves of three each. In the middle of each of these 
spaces a circular depression or hole is cut. All the lines, grooves, and marks are 
painted in red, blue, or black. 

These bones are played with, either by two women who gamble against each 
other or by a number of women who sit opposite and facing each other in two long 
lines, each player contesting with her opposite neighbor. Twelve sticks, or counters, 
are used in the game, and at first these are placed on the ground between the two 
players. 

The player, kneeling or squatting on the ground, grasps the four bones in the 
right or left hand, holding them vertically with the ends resting on the ground. 
With a slight sliding motion she scatters the bones on the ground close in front of 
her, and the sides which fall uppermost express the count or the failure to count. 
Sometimes, but not always, t 1 c players throw the bones to determine which shall 
have the first throw in the gam. 

The person making a successful throw takes from the heap of sticks the number 
called for by the points of the throw — one stick for each point. So long as the 
throw is one which counts the player continues to throw, but if she fails to count 
tlie bones are passed over to the opposite player, and she then throws until she has 
oael a blank. When the sticks have all been taken from the pile on the ground 
bel ween them the successful thrower begins to take from her opponent so many of 
the sticks which she has gained as are called for by her throw. As twelve points 



1 Report on the Blackfoot tribes, Report of the fifty-seventh meeting of British 
Association for the Advancement of Science, Manchester, 1887, London, 1888, p. 192. 
(Jrammar and Dictionary of the Blackfoot Language, London, 1889. 

:; The word traroin (trapper, French) has been variously explained as coming from 
travail and from traineau. I believe, however, as stated in The Story of the Indian, 
]). 156, it is a corruption from trovers or a trovers, meaning across, and referring to 
the crossing of the poles over the horse's or over the dog's withers (G. B. G.). 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 5. 



r 




Staves for Travois Game. 

Blackfeet Indians. Blackfeet A.gency, Montana. 

Collection of George liird UriuueJl 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



711 



must be made by a player before the twelve sticks can come into her possession and 
the game be won, it will be seen that the contest may be long drawn out. A rim of 
luck is needed to finish it. 
Some of the counts made by the throws are here given: 

3 blanks and chief = 6 points = 6 sticks. 

3 blanks and chief reversed = 3 points = 3 sticks. 

2 zigzag, 1, i, and chief = 4 points = 4 sticks. 

2 blanks, 1, 4, and chief = 2 points = 2 sticks. 

2 blanks, 1 zigzag, and chief = zero point = zero sticks. 

2 blanks, 1 zigzag, and chief reverses = zero point = zero sticks. 

1 zigzag, 1 blank, 1, 4, and chief = zero point = zero sticks. 
The women do not sing at this game as the men do at the gambling game of " hands." 






52^ 





Fig. 33. 

SET OF BONE GAMING STAVES. 

Length, 5£ inches. 
Blaokfeet, South Piegan .Reserve, Montana. 

Cat. No. 51693, Field Columbian Musi-um. 



The game described was obtained by Mr. Grinnell from the Piegans 
of the IUaekfeet Agency in northwestern Montana, on the eastern 
flanks of the Rocky Mountains. They live on Milk KMver, Cut Bart, 
Willow, Two Medicine Lodge, and Badger creeks: the sonthernmosl 
tribe of the IUaekfeet. It will be observed that the implements tor this 
game are practically identical with those collected by Dr. Matthews 
from the Gros Ventres in Dakota (fig. 89). Concerning this Mi. Grin- 
nell remarks: 

The Gros Ventres of Dakota— by which are meant, of oonrse,the Gros Ventres of 

the village, a tribe of Crow stock— are not very distant neighbors <>t' the Black f< et, 
and m fact the people of the old Fort Berthold village, tho (Jr.- Ventres, Bees, an. I 
Mandans, have many customs, and even some traditions, which closely resemble 

those of the Blackfeet. 



712 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Blackfeet. South Piegan Reserve, Montana. (Cat. No. 51693, Field 
Columbian Museum, Chicago.) 

Set of four boue staves, made of rib bones, 5J inches in length and 
J inch wide in the middle, tapering to the ends. The outer rounded 
sides are cut with lines, which are tilled with red paint, as shown in 
tig. 33. Two are alike, and one of the others is banded with a nar 
row thong of buckskin on which are sewn twelve small blue glass 
beads. The reverses, which show the texture of the bone, are alike, 
and painted red. 

Accompanied by twelve counting sticks (fig. 34) made of twigs, 5 J 
inches in length, smeared with red paint. 




Fig. 34. 

SET OF COUNTING STICKS. 

Length, 5k inches. 
Blackfeet, South Piegan Reserve, Montana. 

Cat. No. 51t593, Field Columbian Museum. 



Blackfeet. Blood Beserve, Alberta, Canada. (Cat. Xo. 51654, Field 
Columbian Museum, Chicago.) 
Three bone staves, 6§ inches in length and f inch in width in the 
middle, tapering to the ends. The outer rounded sides are carved 
as shown in fig. 35, two alike, in which the incised lines are filled with 
red paint, and one with holes, 10—3 3—0, which are painted blue. 
The inner sides, which show the texture of the bone, are perfectly 
plain. 

Both of the above sets were collected by Dr. George A. Dorsey, of 
the Field Columbian Museum, who courteously gives me the following 
particulars : 

I am informed that the Bloods generally use three instead of four hones. ' They 
call the game Nitsiiaiep-slipscpian = we play. The stick marked with holes is called 
"man" and the other two "snakes." Of the counts I have only this much : 

All marked faoes np = 4. 

All unmarked faces up = 4. 

2 unmarked and "snake" up =6. 

1 unmarked and 2 snakes up =6. 

1 unmarked, snake and man up =0. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



713 



ATHAPASCAN STOCK. 



White Mountain Apache. Arizona. (Oat. Xo. 15209G, r.S.X.M.) 

Set of three sticks of hazel wood, 8 inches in length, : J inch wide, 
and about § in thickness. Flat on one side, with diagonal black band 






Fig. 35. 

SET OF BONE GAMING STAVES. 

Length, 6g inches. 

Blackfeet, Blood Reserve, Alberta, Canada. 

Cat. No. . t »ir.. r i4, Field Columbian Museum. 



across middle; other rounded and unpainted. Show marks of use. 
Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 1 Described as played by women 




Fig. 36. 

GAMINU STAVES. 

Length, ( .».\ inches. 
White Mountain Apache, Fori Apache, Arizona. 

Cat. Ni>. Im'.I'.i, Museum <>f A r. li.i ..I. >_'> , University of Pennsylvania, 



upon a circle 2 of forty stones divided in four tens with a division to each 
ten (tig. 37), and having a large flat rock placed in the middle. Four 



l A set of sticks (fi^. 3(j) made of a variety of the prickly ash, !•'. inches in length, 
but otherwise identical with the above, are contained in the Museum of Archaeology 
of tho University of Pennsylvania (Cat. No. 18619), collected by Capt. C, N. B. 
Macauley, U. S. A. 

2 Mr. Palmer says a square; Captain M man ley a circle. 



714 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



or six can play. Two sides are formed of equal numbers, and two sets 
of sticks are used. The players kneel behind the rock square. The 
first player takes the sticks in one hand, rounded sides out (tig-. 38), and 



slams them end first, on the rock. 



po OQ Q 



o 



a 



o 
o 
o 
o 

o 

o 
o 

a 



o 
o 
o 
o 

c 
o 

o 

o 



o 



,0 



o 



°oo qO° { 



From this is derived the name of the 
game Se-tich-ch, "Hit" or "bounce- 
on-the-rock." 1 

The counts are as follows: 

3 round sides up = 10 

3 flat sides up = 5 

2 rouud sides up and one flat= 3 
1 round side up and two flat = 2 

A throw of ten gives another 
throw. Each side has two sticks 
which are used to mark the count. 
The two sides count from opposite 
directions. 

(Cat. No. 



Pig. 37. 

ciECurr for stave game. 

Navajo and Apache. 



Xava.jo. New Mexico. 
9557, U.S.N.M.) 
Set of three sticks of root of cot- 
ton wood, 8 inches in length, about 
If in breadth and £ in thickness, 
one side flat and blackened; the other rounded and unpainted (fig. 39). 
One stick tied near end to prevent splitting. They show marks of con- 
tinued use. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 

As observed by the writer at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, 
the Navajo play upon a circle of forty stones, throwing the staves ends 
down upon a flat stone placed in the center. Each player has a splint 
or twig to represent him upon the board, and these are all placed 
together at one of the four openings in 
the circle at the commencement of the 
game. The throws count as follows: 

3 round sides up = 10 

3 flat = 5 

2 rounds and one flat== 
1 rouud jindtwo flat = 

The following vocabulary of the game was 
furnished me by the Navajo at Chicago: 
Game, set tilth. 

Staves. 8rt tilth. 

( lircle of stones, sen asti. 

Si one in center, a cle sane. 

Dr. Washington Matthews 2 describes 




Fig. 38. 

METHOD OF HOLDING STICKS BY WHITE 

MOUNTAIN APACHE. 

From a drawing t>y the late Capt. C. N. B. Mac- 
auley, United States Army. 



1 Capt. John G. Bourke gave the Apache name of this game to the writer as 
/.. ehis or Zse-lilth, the two words, "stone" and "wood" referring to the central 
stone :in<i 4 !..- staves. The circle of stones is called, he stated, Tze-nasti, "stone 
circle." Mr. Edtrard Palmer gives the name of the game as Satill. 

■ Navajo Legends, Boston, 1897, note 47, p. 219. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



715 



a game played by Navajo women under the name of Tse d VI or 
tsin-JI'/: 1 

The principal implements are three sticks, which are thrown violently, ends 
down, on a flat stone around which the gamblers sit. The sticks rebound so well 
that they would fly far away were not a blanket stretched overhead to throw them 
back to the players. A number of small stones placed in the form of a square are 
used as counters. These are not moved, but sticks, whose positions are changed 
according to the fortunes of the game, are placed between them. The rnles of the 
game have not been recorded. 

Dr. Matthews 2 tells, among the early events of the fifth or present 
world, that while they were waiting for the ground to dry, the women 
erected four poles, on which they stretched a deerskin, and under the 




Fig. 39. 

SET OK STAVES FOR CAME. 

Length, 8 inches. 
Navajo Indians, New Mexico. 

Cat. No. 9557, U.S..VM. 

shelter of this they played the game of three sticks, tsuu/i', one of 
the four games which they brought with them from the lower world.' 
Another game of tossed sticks described by I >r. Matthews l was called 
tfaka tfhad-sata, 5 or the thirteen chips. 

It is played with 13 thin flat pieces of wood, which are colored red on one side 
and left white or uncolored on the other. Success depends on the number of chips 
which, being thrown upward, fall with their white sides up. 

i Tain = wood, di'll 

-Navajo Origin Legend, The Story of the Emergence, II (see p. 185). 

: The other games were: rfilkon, played with two sticks, each tin- length of an arm ; 
atsa, played with forked sticks and a ring, and aspi n. 

'Navajo Legends, p. S3. 

' 7aka-/had-s;ita was the first of four games played by the young Bastaeao^an with 
the gambling god Nofcoilpi. These four games are not the same as the four described 
as brought from the under world. They comprise, in addition, nauco:. " hoop and 
pole;" tsi'nbelsi/, or push on the wood, in which the contestants push on a tree until 
it is torn from its roots and falls, and tool, or ball, the object in which was to nil fee 
ball so that it would fall beyond a certain line. Compare the gambling episode 
with that of Poshaiyanne, tin- sia culture hero and the Magician. The four games 
played by them were not the same (see p. 730). 



716 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Navajo. Arizona. (Oat. No. 74735, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of seven blocks of cedar wood, J inch in length, ■& inch wide, 
and J inch thick (fig. 40). Section hemispherical. Six have flat sides 
blackened and one painted red; opposite unpainted. Collected by Dr. 
Washington Matthews, U. S. A. The game was " played with counters 
by women." These blocks furnish an exact parallel to the Korean 
"chestnut" nyout. 





Fig. 40. 

SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME. 

Length, | inch. 
Navajo Indians, Arizona. 

Cat. No. 74735, U.S.N. M. 

BEOTHUKAN STOCK. 

Beothuk. Newfoundland. 

From colored drawings of ancient bone disks, attributed to the Beo- 
thuk, and presented to the United States National Museum by Lady 
Edith Blake, of Kingston, Jamaica, it would appear that this tribe may 

have used gaming disks 
resembling those of the 
Micmac. 

CADDOAN STOCK. 

Arikara. (Oat. Nos. 
6342,(3355, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of eight plum 

stones, plain on one 

side, and marks burned 

upon the other, as 

shown in fig. 41. . Four 

have stars on burned 

ground; two, circular 

marks, and two are entirely burned over. Basket of woven grass, 7 

inches in diameter at top, and 2 inches deep. Collected by Dr. Gray 

and Mr. Matthew F. Stevenson. 

Brackenridge, 1 referring to the Arikara, states: 

In the evening, about sundown, the women cease from their labors and collect into 
little knots, and amuse themselves with a game something like jackstones. Five 
I><-bbles are tossed up in a small basket, with which they endeavor to catch them 
again as they fall. 






Fig. 41. 

SET OF PLUM STONES FOR GAME. 

Diameter, \i inch. 
Arikara Indians. 
Cat. No. 6355, U.S.N.M. 



'II. M. Brackenridge, Views of Louisiana, together with a Journal of a voyage up 
tin Missouri River in 1811, Pittsburg, 1814. 



CHESS AND PLAYIXG-CARDS. 



717 



It seems hardly necessary to point out that he failed to comprehend 
the object of the game. 
Pawnee. 

In reply to a letter addressed by the writer to Mr. George Bird (Irin- 
nell, of New York City, he kindly wrote the following account "of what 
the Pawnee call the seed game : " 

I have seen this game played among the Pawnee, Arikara, and Cheyenne, and 
substantially in the same way everywhere. The Pawnee do not use a bowl to throw 
the seeds, hut hold them in a flat wicker basket, about the size and shape of an 
ordinary tea plate. The woman 
who makes the throw holds the 
basket in front of her close 
to the ground; gives the stones 
a sudden toss into the air, and 
then moves the basket smartly 
down against the ground, and 
the stones fall into it. They 
are not thrown high, but the 
movement of the basket is quick, 
and it is brought down hard on 
the ground so that the sound of 
the slapping is easily heard. 
The plum stones are always live 
in number, blackened, and vari- 
ously marked on one side. The 
women who are gambling sit in 
line opposite to one another, 
and usually each woman bets 
with the one sitting opposite 
her, and the points are counted 

by sticks placed on the ground between them, the wager always being on the game, 
and not on the different throws. It is exclusively, so far as I know, a woman's game. 

Pike 1 says: 

The third game alluded to is that of la platte, described by various travelers (as 
the platter or dish game) ; this is played by the women, children, and old men. who, 
like grasshoppers, crawl out to the circus to bask in the sun, probably covered only 
with an old buffalo robe. 

ESKIMAUAN STOCK. 

Speaking of the Central Eskimo, Dr. Franz Boas- says: 
A game similar to dice, called tingmiujang, i. e., images of birds, is frequently 
played. A set of about lifteen figures, like those represented in tig. 12, belong t" 
this game; some representing birds, others men and women. The players --it around 
a board or a piece of leather and the figures are shaken in the hand and thrown 
upward. On falling, some stand upright, others lie flat on the back or on the side. 
Those standing upright belong to that player whom they face; Bometimes they are 
so thrown that they all belong to the one that tossed them up. The player- 
throw by turns until the last figure is taken up, the one getting the greatest num- 
ber of litrures beinir the winner. 




Fig. 42. 

IVORY IMAGES USED AS DUE IN GAME OE TTNGMIUJ \\o. 

Cential Eskimo. 

From Sixth Annua] Report of the Bureau of Ethnology. 



1 Elliott Coues, The Expedition of Zebulon Montgomery Pike, New York, Li 
p. 534. 

-The Central Eskimo, Sixth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Wash- 
ington, 1888, p. 567. 



718 



RKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Mr. Job n Murdoch ' describes similar objects which be purchased at 
Plover Bay, eastern Siberia, in 1881 (fig. 43). They were supposed to 
be merely works of art. Referring to the account given by Dr. Boas 
of their use as a game, be says: 




Fig. 4:;. 

GAME ( OF FOX AND GEESE. 
After Murdoch. 

It is therefore quite likely they were used for a similar purpose at Plover Bay. 
If this be so. it is a remarkable point of similarity between these widely separated 
Eskimo, for I can ham nothing of a similar custom at any intermediate point. 

Mr. Murdoch refers to the game as mentioned by Captain Hall, 2 who, 
speaking of the Central Eskimo, says: 

They have a variety of games of their own. In one of these they use a number 
of bits of ivory made in the form of ducks. 




Fig. 44. 

CAKVKI) IVORY WATER BIRD- AM) SEAL. 

St. Lawrence Island, Siberia. 
Cat \... 68457, D 9.N.M. 



In the United States National Museum (Cat. No. G3457) there is a set 
of carved water birds and a seal (fig. 44), collected from the Eskimo 
at St. Lawrence Island, Alaska, by Mr. E. W. Nelson, in 1882. He 
informs me, through Prof. Otis T. Mason, that he never saw the flat- 



1 Ethnological Results of the Port Barrow Expedition, Ninth Annual Report of the 
Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1892, p.364. 

1 !ii! Lea Francis Hall, Arctic Researches, New York, 1860, p. 570. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



719 



bottomed geese and other creatures used in a game, and all of his 
specimens are perforated and used as pendants on the bottom of per- 
sonal ornaments and parts of clothing. 

Prof. Benjamin Sharp, of the Academy of Natural Science, tells me 
that he saw the carved water birds used as a game, being tossed and 
allowed to fall by Eskimo of St. Lawrence Bay, Siberia. 

In reply to my inquiry in reference to the use of such objects in 
games by the Arctic Highlanders of (Ireenland, Mr. Henry G. Bryant 
writes me that small images of birds are rare among them, although 




Fig. 45. 

WOODEN 15LOCKS, SAID TO HE USED IN GAME. 

Length, 1* inches. 
Northwest Arctic Coast. 

Cat. No. 7404, U.S.N. M. 

representations of men, women, walrus, seal, bears, and dogs are part 
of the domestic outfit of every well regulated family. 1 

I understand that tho leg hones of the arctic fox are sometimes tied together on a 
string, and at times these are thrown up and their position noted when striking the 
ground. 

Mr. Bryant adds: 

Perhaps they attach a significance to the position of tho fox hours, which may 
be analogous to the practice of using wooden or DOB6 dice by other tribes. 

A set of carved ivory tablets (figs. 195-300), strung upon a fehrong, 
are described as among the properties of an Eskimo shaman in 



'Mr. Bryant states that these miniature figures, which arc mad.- of ivory, are 

employed to teach children the arts of the chase. 



720 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Alaska. It is possible that they are used in tbe same manner as the 
fox bones. 

In tbe United States National Museum (Cat. No. 7404) are four 
wooden blocks, said to be used in a game, from the Northwest Arctic 
Coast. These blocks (fig. 45), which were collected by Mr. R. Kennicott, 
have a rounded base marked with two transverse cuts. They are per- 
forated as if for stringing. From the locality given they are probably 
Eskimauan. 

In conclusion, reference should be made to a game described by Mur- 
doch 1 among the Point Barrow Eskimo with twisters and marline 
spikes used for backing the bow. 

Lieutenant Ray says he has seen it played with any bits of stick or hone. Accord- 
ing to him the players are divided into sides, who sit on the ground about 3 yards 
apart, each side sticking up one of the marline spikes for a mark to throw the 
twisters at. Six of the latter, he believes, make a complete set. One side tosses 
the whole set, one at a time, at the opposite stake, and the points which they make 
arc counted up by their opponents from the position of the twisters as they fall. 
He did not learn how the points were reckoned, except that twisters with a mark on 




Fiji, -i 6. 

TWISTERS USED IN GAME. 

Length, 5§ inches. 

Point Barrow Eskimo. 

After Murdoch. 

them counted differently from the plain ones, or how long the game lasted, each side 
taking its turn of casting at the opposite stake. He, however, got the impression 
that tbe winning side kept the twisters belonging to their opponents. Mr. Xelson 
informs me that a similar game is played with the same implements at Norton 
Sound. 

The present writer has repeated this account, from the general like- 
ness of the implements (sinew twisters) (fig. 46) to the staves tossed as 
dice, rather from any clearly apparent identity of the games. 

IROQUOIAN STOCK. 

Cherokee, ^orth Carolina. 

I am informed by Mrs. Starr Hayes that the Cherokee play a game in 
a flat square basket of cane like the lid of a market basket, with col 
ored beans, under the name of " Black eye and white eye." The shal 
low basket used is 14 feet square. The beans are colored " butter 
beans," a variety of lima, and those selected are dark on one side and 
white on the other. Twelve beans are kept as counters. Six others 
are put in the basket, as they come, and the players, who are four in 
number, and each two partners, play in turn. The basket is held in 



Ninth Annual import of the Bureau of Ethnology, p. 364. 



CHESS AND PLAYIN<;-CARDS. 721 

both hands, slightly shaken, and then with a jerk, the beans are tossed 
in the air. If all turn black, two are taken from the counters; if all 
turn white, three are taken. If but one turns up white, one is taken 
from the twelve. When they turn five white, one only is taken. The 
game is played three or six times weekly. Whoever gets twelve beans 
has the game. 

Delaware. 

See account by Loskiel on page 725. 

Huron. Ontario, Canada. 
Charlevoix 1 gives the following account: 

As I returned through a quarter of the Huron village I saw a company of these 
savages, who appeared very eager at play. I drew near and saw they were playing 
at the game of the dish (jt-u dn plat). This is the game of which these people are 
fondest. At this they sometimes lose their rest, and in some measure their reason. 
At this game they hazard all they possess, and many do not leave off till they are 
almost stripped quite naked and till they have lost all they have in their cabins. 
Some have been known to stake their liberty for a time, which fully proves their 
passion for this game; for there are no men in the world more jealous of their liberty 
than the savages. 

The game of the dish, which they also call the game of tho little bones (jeu des 
ossclets), is only played by two persons. Each has six or eight little bones, which 
at first I took for apricot-stones; they are of that shape and bigness. But upon 
viewing them elosely I perceived they had six unequal surfaces, the two principal of 
which are painted, one black and the other white, inclined to yellow. They make 
them jump up by striking the ground or the table with a round and hollow dish, 
which contains them and which they twirl round first. When they have no dish 
they throw the bones up in the air with their hands; if in tailing they come all of 
one color, he who plays wins five. The game is forty up, and they subtract the 
numbers gained by the adverse part}'. Five bones of the same color win hut one for 
the first time, but the second time they win the game. A less number wins nothing. 

He that wins the game continues playing. The loser gives his place to another, 
who is named by the markers of his side; for they make the parties at fust, and 
often the whole village is concerned in the game. Oftentimes also one village plaj a 
against another. Each party chooses a marker; but he withdraws when he pleai 
which never happens but when his party loses. At every throw, especially if it 
happens to be decisive, they make great shouts. The players appeal- like people 
possessed, and the spectators are not more calm. They all make a thousand contor- 
tions, talk to the bones, load the spirits of the adverse party with imprecations, and 
the whole village echoes with bowlings. If all this does not recover their luck, the 
losers may put oft the party to tho next day. It costs them only a small treat to the 
company. Then they prepare to ret nm to the engagement. Bach in\ okes his genius, 
and throws some tohaeco in the tiro to his honor. They ask him above all things 
for lucky dreams. As soon as day appears they go again t<> play; hut if the los 
fancy the goods in their cabins made them unlucky the first thing tiny <1" is to 
change them all. The great parties commonly last live or Bis days, and often con- 
tinue all night. In the meantime, as all the persons present, .it least bhos< who are 
concerned in the game, are in agitation that deprives them of reason, as they quar- 
rel and tight, which never happens among savages but on the-. sions and in 
drunkenness, one may judge if when they have done playing they «1«> not want 1 



1 P. de Charlevoix, Journal d'nn Voyage dans I'Amerique Septentrionnale, Pa 

1744, LIT. p. 25!) (Jnin, 1721 >. 
NAT 3IUfc> 1)0 40 



722 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

It sometimes happens that these parties of play are made by order of the physician 
or at the request of the sick. There needs for this purpose no more than a dream of 
one or the other. This dream is always taken for the order of some spirit, and they 
prepare themselves for the game with a great deal of care. They assemble for sev- 
eral nights to try and to see who has the luckiest hand. They consult their genii, 
they fast, the married persons observe continence, and all to obtain a favorable 
dream. Every morning they relate what dreams they have had and of all the things 
they have dreamt of which they think lucky and they make a collection of all 
and put them into little bags which they carry about with them, and if anyone has 
the reputation of being lucky — that is, in the opinion of these people, of having a 
familiar spirit more powerful or more inclined to do good — they never fail to make 
him keep near him who holds the dish. They even go a great way sometimes to 
fetch him, and if through age or any infirmity he can not walk, they will carry him 
on their shoulders. 

They have often pressed the missionaries to be present at these games, as they 
believe their guardian genii are the most powerful. 

Brebeuf ] describes the game as follows : 

The game is also in great repute as a medicine, especially if the sick has dreamed of 
it. This game is a game of chance, pure and simple. They take six prune stones, 
white on one side and black on the other, put them in a plate, and shake the latter 
violently, so that the bones fall to the ground, showing one or the other side, as it 
may happen. The game is to get either all with the black side or all with the white 
side up. Generally they play village pitted against village. They all convene in a 
hut, and take places on benches ranged along the sides. The sick is carried in a 
coverlet, and the one who is to shake the plate (there is only one player for each 
side) walks after the sick, head and face wrapped in his robe. As soon as the player 
of the opposing party takes hold of the plate they cry aloud, Acltinc achinc, achinc, 
trois, trois, trois, or rather, ioio, ioio, ioio, desiring that either three white or three 
black be thrown by him. This winter you would have seen a good many returning 
to their village, having lost their breeches at a time when there was nearly 3 feet 
of snow, as frolicsome as if they had won. What I find the most remarkable thing 
about it is the preliminary arrangements. Some of them fast several days before 
the game is to take place. The evening before they convene in a hut, and by a cere- 
mony try to find out the result of the game. The one who is chosen to hold the 
plate takes the stones, puts them in the plate, which he covers, so that nobody can 
touch them. After this they sing. After the song the plate is uncovered, and the 
stones are either all black or all white. 

Thereupon I asked a savage whether the opposing party did not do the same, and 
whether they could not get the stones arranged in the same way. He answered 
" Yes." "Nevertheless," I said, "both can not win," which he did not know how to 
answer. He told me, further, two remarkable things: 

1. They choose for holding the plate someone who had dreamed that he won or 
who had a charm. Generally those who have one do not make a secret of it, but 
carry it about with them. They say that one person in our village rubs the stones 
witli a certain ointment and never fails to win. 

2. In making the trial some of the stones disappear and are found after a time in 
the plate with the others. 

Father Lalemaiit 2 relates the following: 

One of the latest foolish things which has happened in this village was occa- 
sioned by a sick person in one of the neighboring villages, who, in order to regain 
his health, dreamed or really get the prescription of the local medicine man that a 
"game of platter" should be played for him. He spoke about it to the headmen, 



1 Relations des Jesuites, Relation en TAnnde, 1636, Quebec, 1858, p. 113. 
'Idem., 1639, p. 95. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 723 

who soon convened the council and decided upon the date and the village which 
should be invited for this purpose, and this village was oars. A deputation was 

sent thence here to make the proposition, which was agreed upon, and thru the oec- 
essary preparations were made by both parties. 

This ''game of platter'' consists in tossing about in a ft ooden dish several wild- 
plum pits, each being white on one side and black on the other, from which follows 
gain or loss, according to the rules of the game. 

It is beyond my power to describe properly the earnestness and activity displayed 
by our Barbarians in getting ready and in seeking all means and signs of good luck 
and success in their game. They meet at night and pass part of it in shaking the 
plate to see who is the most adroit, and part in spreading out their charms and 
exhorting them. Toward the end they all sleep in the same cabin, having pre- 
viously fasted and abstained for some time from their wives, all this to have a lucky 
dream, and the next morning they 'tell what has happened in the night. Finally. 
everything that they have dreamed could bring them good luck is collected and 
placed in bags for carrying. Besides this, they search everywhere for those who 
have charms affecting the game, or "Ascandics n or familiar spirits to assist the one 
who holds the dish, aud be nearest him when he shakes it. If there are any old 
men whose presence is recognized as efficacious in increasing the strength and value 
of their charms, not content with carrying their charms, they load them on the 
shoulders of the young men in order to carry them to the place of assembly. As we 
pass in the country for powerful sorcerers, they do not fail to give us notice to pray 
and perform many ceremonies to cause them to win. 

As soon as they arrive at their appointed place, each party ranges itself along one 
or the other side of the cabin, filling it from top to bottom, under and above the 
■' andichons," which are of bark and made like a bed canopy or roof, corresponding 
ro that below, fastened to the ground upon which they sleep at night. They place 
licmselves upon the poles that lie and are suspended along the length of the cabin. 
The two players are in the middle with their seconds who hold the charms. Every- 
one present bets with someone else whatever he pleases, and the game begins. 

It is at this moment that everyone sets to praying or muttering I know not what 
words, with gestures and violent agitations of the hands, eyes, and The entire face, 
all lor the purpose of attracting good fortune to themselves and exhorting their 
particular spirits to take courage and not let themselves be worried. Some are 
appointed to utter execrations and make contrary gestures for the purpose of forc- 
ing bad luck upon the other side and frightening the familiar spirits of the oppos- 
ing party. 

This game was played several times this winter throughout all the country, but I 
do not know how it happened that the villages where we have missions were always 
unlucky to the last degree, and a certain village lost 30 porcelain (wampum I collars 
each of 1,000 beads, which is in this country, as if we said in France, 50,000 pearls 
or pistoles. 1 But this is not all. Always hoping to regain what they have lost, they 
bet tobacco bags, clothes, shoes, and breeches, in a word, all they possess, *-«> that, 
if they are unlucky, as happened to these people, they return borne stark-naked, 
having lost even their breech-clouts. 

Nicolas Perrott 2 says : 

The savages have also a sort of game of dice, the bos ot* which Is a wooden plate, 
well rounded and well polished on both sides. The dice are made ot* six small flat 

1 The term pistole was used only as a money of account. It was generally equiva- 
lent to 10 lirrcs tounwis. The line tournote was of 20 sons, in distinction from the 
livre of Paris of 25 sous. What the actual value would be no one can tell. It may 
be said that 50,000 pistoles was equal to 500,000 linr* toumoit&i that time. Personal 
letter from Prof. Dana C. Munro.) 

2 Memoire sur les Moeurs, Coustumes et Religion des Sauages de I'Amerique Sep- 
tentrionale, Leipzig et Paris, 1864, p. 50. 



724 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

pieces of bone, about the size of a plum stone. They arc all alike, having oneof the 
faces colored black, red, green, or blue, and the other generally painted white or any 
different color from the first-mentioned face. They throw these dice in the plate, 
holding the two edges, and on lifting it they make them jump and turn therein. 
After having struck the dish on the cloth, they strike themselves at the same time 
heavy blows on the chest and shoulders while the dice turn about, crying "Dice! 
Dice! Dice!" until the dice have stopped moving. When they find five or six 
showing the same color, they take the grains which have been agreed upon with the 
opposite party. If the loser and his comrades have nothing more to play with, the 
winner takes all that is on the game. Entire villages have been seen gambling 
away their possessions, one against the other, on this game, and ruining themselves 
thereat. They also challenge to a decision by one throw of the die, and when it 
happens that a party throws six, all those of the tribe that bet on him get up 
and dance in ca deuce to the noise of gourd rattles. All passes without dispute. 
The women and girls also play this game, but they often use eight dice and do not 
use a dicebox like the men. They only use a blanket, and throw them on with the 
hand. 

Sagard Theodat 1 says: 

The men are addicted not only to the game of reeds (which they call "Aefcara," 
with three or four hundred small white reeds, cut equally to a length of a foot), but 
also addicted to other kinds of game, as for instance, taking a large wooden platter 
with five or six plum stones or small balls, somewhat flattened, about the size of the 
end of the little finger, or painted black on one side and white on the other. They 
squat all around in a circle and take each his turn in taking hold of the platter 
with both hands, which they keep at a little distance from the tioor. and bring the 
platter down somewhat roughly, so as to make the balls move about; they take it 
as in a game of dice, observing on which side the stones lie, whether it goes against 
them or for them. The one who holds the platter says, continually while strik- 
ing it, "Tet, tet, tet," thinking that this may excite and influence the game in his 
favor. 

For the ordinary game of women and girls (at times joined by men and boys) are 
used five or six stones (as those of apricots) black on one side and yellow on the 
other, which they hold in their hands as we do dice, throwing the stones a little 
upward, and after they have fallen on the skin which serves them as a carpet, they 
see what the result is, and continue to play for the necklaces, ear ornaments, and 
other small articles of their companions, but never for gold or silver coin, because 
they do not know the use of it, so that in trade they barter one thing for another. 

I must not forget to mention that in some of their villages they play, which we 
call in France, Porler Jes Momons (carry the challenge). They send a challenge to 
other villages to come and play agaiust them, winning their utensils, if they can, and 
meanwhile the feasting does not stop, because at the least inducement the kettle 
is on the fire, especially in winter time, at which time they especially feast and 
amuse themselves in order to pass agreeably the hard season. 

Huron (Wyandot). 

Col. James Smith 2 describes the Wyandot as "playing a game 
resembling dice or hustle-cap. They put a number of plum-stones 
in a small bowl; one side of each stone is black and the other white; 
then they shake or hustle the bowl, calling hits, hits, hits, honesey, 

1 Histoiro du Canada, Paris, 1866, p. 243. 

2 An account of the Remarkable Occurrences in the Life and Travels of Col. James 
Smith during his Captivity with the Indians in the years 1755-1759, Cincinnati, 
1-70, p. 46. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 725 

honesey, rago, rago; which signifies calling for white or black, or what 
they wish to turn up; then they turn the bowl and count the whites 
and blacks." 

Iroquois. Western Pennsylvania and southern New York. 
Loskiel ' gives the following account: 

The Indians are naturally given to gambling, and frequently risk their arms, 
furniture, clothes, and all they possess to gratify this passion. The chief game of 
the Iroquois and Delawarea is dice, which indeed originated with them. The dice 
are made of oval and flattish plum-stones, painted black on one and yellow on the 
other side. Two persons only can play at one time. They put the dice into a dish, 
which is raised alternately by each gambler and struck on the table or floor with 
force enough to make the dice rise and change their position; when he who has the 
greater number of winning color counts five, and the hrst who has the good fortune 
to do this eight times wins the game. The spectators seem in great agitation during 
the game, and at every chance that appears decisive cry out with great vehemence. 
The gamblers distort their features, and if unsuccessful mutter their displeasure at 
the dice aud the evil spirits who prevent their good fortune. Sometimes whole 
townships, and even whole tribes, play against each other. One of the missionaries 
happened to be present when two Iroquois towuships, having got together a number 
of goods, consisting of blankets, cloth, shirts, linen, etc., gambled for them. The 
game lasted eight days. They assembled every day, and every inhabitant of each 
township tossed the dice once. This being done, aud the chance of each person 
noted down, they parted for the day. Rut each township offered a sacrifice in the 
evening to insure success to their party. This was done by a man going several 
times around a lire, throwing tobacco into it, and singing a song. Afterwards the 
whole company danced. When the appointed time for the game was at an end they 
compared notes, and the winner bore away the spoil in triumph. 

Mohawk. New York. 

Bruyas- in his radical words of the Mohawk language, written in 
the latter part of the seventeenth century, gives under Atnenha, 
" Noyau" (stone of a fruit), the compounds T8atnenha8inneton, "jouer 
avec les noyaux comme sont les femines, en les jettant la main," and 
T8atenna8eron, u y jouer an plat." 

Onondaga. New York. 

Rev. W. M. Beauchamp :i states : 

Among the Onondaga now eight bones or stoms aie used, black on one side and 
white on the other. They term the game Ta-you-nyun-wdt-hak or. " Finger Shaker," 
and from one hundred to three hundred beans form the pool, as may be agreed. 
With them it is also a household game. In playing this the pieces are raised in the 
hand and scattered, the desired result being indifferently white or black. Essen- 
tially the counting does not differ from that given by Morgan see p. Tl'o" . Two 
white or two black will have si\ of one color, and these count two beans, called 
O-yd-ha, or the Bird. The player proceeds until he loses, when his opponent takes 
his turn. Seven white or black gain four beans, called O-mo-xnh, or Pumpkin. All 
white or all black gain twenty, called O-hi'n-tnh, or a Field. These are all that 
draw anything, and we may indifferently say with the Onondaga, two white or black 

1 George Henry Loskiel, History of the United Brethren, London. L794, I. p 

2 Rev. Jacques Brnyas, Radioes verbornm IroqusBorum, New York, i v i">.:. Cited 
by Andrew McFarland Davis, Bulletin of the Essex Institute. XVIII, p. 186. 

:! Iroquois games, Journal of American Folk Lore. IX, p. 269. 



726 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

for the first, <>r six with the Seneca. The game is played singly or by partners, 
and there is no limit to the number. Usually there are three or four players. 

In counting the grains there is a kind of ascending reduction ; for as two birds make 
one pumpkin, only one bird can appear in the result. First come the twenties, then 
tlic fours, then the twos, whioh can occur but once. Thus we may say for twenty, 
Jo-han-to-tah, "you have one field" or more, as the case maybe. In fours we can 
only say Ki-yae-ne-you-sdh-ka, "yon have four pumpkins," for five would make a 
field. For two beans there is the simple announcement of O-yii-ah, "bird." 

The game of peach-stones, much more commonly used and important, has a more 
public character, although I have played it in an Indian parlor. In early days the 
stones of the wild plum were used, but now six peach-stones are ground down 
to an elliptic flattened form, tho opposite sides being black or white. This is the 
great game known as that of tho dish nearly three centuries ago. The wooden 
bowl which I used was 11 inches across the top and 3 inches deep, handsomely 
carved out of a hard knot. A beautiful small bowl, which I saw elsewhere, may 
have been used by children. The six stones are placed in the Kah-oon-uah, the 
bowl, and thence the Onondaga term the game Ta-yune-oo-wdh-es, throwing the bowl 
to each other as they take it in turn. In public playing two players are on their 
knees at a time, holding the bowl between them. Beans are commonly used for 
counters. Many rules are settled according to agreement, but the pumpkin is left 
out, and the stones usually count five for a bird and six for a field. All white 
or all black is the highest throw, and five or six are the only wiuning points. In 
early days it would seem that all white or all black alone counted. The bowl is 
simply struck on the floor. This ancient game is used at the New Year's or White 
Dog Feast among the Onondaga yet. Clan plays against clan, the Long House 
against the Short House, and, to foretell the harvest, the women play against the 
men. If the men win, the ears of corn will be long like them; but if the women 
gain the game, they will be short, basing the results on the common proportion of 
the sexes. As of old, almost all games are yet played for the sick, but they are 
regarded now more as a diversion of the patient's mind than a means of healing. 
The game of the dish was once much used in divination, each piece having its own 
familiar spirit. But it is more commonly a social game now. 

Seneca. New York. 

Morgan ! describes the Iroquois game under the name of Gas-ga-e-sd-ta, 
or "deer-buttons." 

This was strictly a fireside game, although it was sometimes introduced as an 
amusement at the season of religious councils, the people dividing into tribes as 
usual and betting upon tho result. Eight buttons, about an inch in diameter, were 
made of elk horn, and, having been rounded and polished, were slightly burned upon 
one side to blacken them [fig. 47]. When it was made a public game it was played 
by two at a time, with a change of players as elsewhere described in the Peach-stone 
game. At the fireside it was played by two or more, and all the players continued 
in their seats until it was determined. A certain number of beans (fifty perhaps) 
wen made the capital, and the game continued until one of the players had won 
them all. Two persons spread a blanket and seated themselves upon it. One of 
them shook the deer-buttons in his hands and then threw them down. If six turned 
Dp of 1 lie same color, it counted two; if seven, it counted four; and if all, it counted 
twenty, the winner taking as many beans from the general stock as ho made points 
by the throw. He also continued to throw as long as he continued to win. When 
less than six came up, either black or white, it counted nothing, and the throw 
passed to the other player. In this manner the game was continued until the beans 
were taken up between the two players. After that the one paid to the other out of 

1 League of the Iroquois, Rochester, 1851, p. 302. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



727 



his own winnings, the game ending as soon as the capital in the hands of either 
player was exhausted. If four played, each had a partner or played independently, 

as they were disposed; but when more than two played, each one was to pay the 
winner the amount won. Thus, if four were playing independently, and ;ifter the 
beans were distributed among them, in the progress of the game one of them should 
turn the buttons up all black or all white, the other three would be obliged to pay 




Fig. 47. 

GUS-GA-E-SA-TA, OR DEER-BUTTONS. 

Seneca Indians, New York. 

After Morgan . 

him twenty each; but if the beans were still in bank, he took up but twenty. The 
ileer buttons were of the same size. In the figure [tig. 47] they are represented at 
different angles. 

An ancient and favorite game of the Iroquois, Gus-ka'-ek, was played with a bowl 
and peach-stones. It was always a betting game, in which the peoplo divided by 
tribes. By established custom, it was introduced as the concluding exercise on the 
last day of the Green Corn and the Harvest festivals, and also of the New Year's 
jubilee. Its introduction among 
them is ascribed to the first To-do- 
da 1 -ho, who flourished at the forma- 
tion of the League. A popular 
belief prevailed that this game 
would be enjoyed by them in the 
future life — in the realm of the 
Great Spirit — which is perhaps but 
an extravagant way of expressing 
their admiration for the game. A 
dish about a foot in diameter at the 
base was carved out of a knot or 
made of earthen. Six peach-stones 
were then ground or cut down into 
■ in oval form, reducing them in the 
process about half in size, after 
which the heart of the pit was re- 
moved and the stones themselves 

were burned upon one side to blacken them. The above representation 
4<)] will exhibit both the bowl and the peach-stones, the latter being drawn in 
different positions to show the degree of their convexity. 

It was a very simple game, depending, in part, upon the dexterity of the player, 
but more upon his good fortune. The peach-stones were shal.cn in the bowl by the 
player, the count depending upon the number which came up of one color after they 




Fig. 18. 

QUA K \ 1 a. OH ii \' M BTOJIBB. 

Seneca Indiana, Ne* York. 

\ii.r Morgan. 



728 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 




Fig. 49. 

GA-JIH. OR BOWL FOR GAME. 

Seneca Indians. New York. 

After Morgan. 



had ceased rolling in the dish. It was played iu the public council-honse by a sue- 
on of players— two at a time— under the supervision of managers appointed to 
represent the two parties and to conduct the contest. Its length depended some- 
what upon the number of beans which made the bank— usually one hundred— the 
victory being gained by the side which finally won them all. 
A platform was erected a few feet from the lloor and spread with blankets. When 

the betting was ended, 
and the articles had 
been delivered into the 
custody of the mana- 
gers, they seated them- 
selves upon the plat- 
form in the midst of 
the throng of specta- 
tors, and two persons 
sat down to the game 
between the two divi- 
sions into which they 
arranged themselves. 
The beans, in the first 
instance, were placed 
together in a bank. 
Five of them were 
given each player, 
with which they commenced. Each player, by the rules of the gam.-, was allowed 
to keep his seat until he had lost this outfit, after which he surrendered it to another 
player on his own side selected by the managers of his own partv. And this was 
the case, noth withstanding any number he might have won of his adversary Those 
which he won were delivered to his party managers. The six peach-stones were 
placed in the bowl and shaken by the 
player: if rive of them eame up of one 
color, either white or black, it counted 
one, and his adversary paid to him the 
forfeit, which was one bean; the bean 
simply representing a unit in counting 
the game. On the next throw, which 
the player having won retained, if less 
than live came op of the same color it 
counted nothing, and he passed the bowl 
to his adversary. The second player 
then shook the bow] ; upon which, if they 
all came up of one color, cither white or 
black, it counted rive. To pay this for- 
feit required the whole outfit of the first 
fter which, having nothing topay 
with, he vacated his seat and was 

Led by another of his own side, who re- 
• d from the bank the same number ol 
it had. The other player fol- 
lowed his throw as long as he continued 

to win : after which he repassed the bowl to his adversary. If a player chanced to 
win five and his opponent had but one left, this was all hecouldgain. In this manner 
the _ Qtinued, with varying fortune, until the beans were divided between 

- in proportion to their success. After this the game continued in the 
same manner at before, the outfit of each new player being advanced by the man- 
his ,,wn party; but as the beans or counters were now out of sight, none 




' i* 
Fig. 50. 

pea' n .-tone bowl oamb. 

Greatest diameter of bowl, 9| inches. 

Seneca Indians, New York. 

Collected by J. N. B. H 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 6. 




Bone Gaming Disks. 

Diameter, f inch. 
Seneca Indians, New York. 
' Cat. No. 31073, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 729 

but the managers knew the state of the game with accuracy. In playing it there 
were but two winning throws, one of which counted one and the other five. When 
one of the parties had lost all their beans, the game was done. 

The implements for a Seneca bowl game in the possession of Mr. John 
N. B. Hewitt, of the Bureau of American Ethnology, obtained by him 
from the Seneca Indians, Cattaraugus Reservation, Cattaraugus 
County, New York, consist of a wooden bowl (fig. 50), 9| inches in 
diameter, and six dice made of fruit stones. A set of bone gaming 
disks from the same tribe and place, also in his possession, are repre- 
sented in plate 6. As will be seen, they are eight in number, and 
marked on one side, in a similar way to those of the Micmac and 
Penobscot. 
Tuscarora (*?), North Carolina. 

Keferring to the Xorth Carolina Indians, Mr. John Lawson 1 writes: 

They have several other games, as with the kernels or stones of persimmons, 
which are in effect the same as our dice, because winning or losing depends on 
which side appears uppermost and how they happen to fall together. 

Again, speaking of their gambling, he says' 2 : 

Their arithmetic; was kept with a heap of Indian grain. 

He does not specify this game as played by any particular tribe in 
North Carolina, and it was probably common to all of them. 

KERESAN STOCK. 

Laguna. New Mexico. 
Capt. George II. Pradt, of Laguna, writes as follows: 

The game played with a circle of small stones is called, by the Keres pueblos, 
"Ka-w£-su-knts." 3 The stones number forty, and arc divided into tens by openings 
called doors or gates called "Si-am-maj" the doors are placed north, south, cast, 
and west. 

In the center of the circle is placed a flat stone, upon which arc thrown the three 
counters. These arc Hat pieces of wood about 4 inches long, .V inch wide, and | inch 
thick; painted black on one side, and marked with 2, 3, and 10 marks, respectively. 
The counters are firmly grasped with the ends down, and forcibly thrown (ends 
down) on the stone in the center, in such a manner that they will rebound, and 
the marks, if any are uppermost, are counted, and the player lays his marker (a 
small stick like a pencil) between the stones the proper distance from the starting 
point to record the number. The starting point is one of the "doors,"' w hichever is 
selected, and the game is played by any number that can assemble around the circle. 
A player can go around the circle in either direction, 1 > i i t if another player arrives at 
the same point he "kills"' the prc\ ions player and that one is obliged to go back to 
the starting point; the first one making the circuit successfully wins the game. 
which is generally played for a small stake. The game is modified sometimes 1»\ 
ruling that if a player falls into one of the doors he must go back, but in thi^ case the 
player is not obliged to go back it* another happens to mark as many points as he. 

Sometimes a round stone is painted to resemble a face and has a wreath of e\er- 



, The History of North Carolina, London. 1719, p. lTti. 
-Tage 27. 

'"Meaning a "punch" or sudden blow, the only name the Laguna have for it. 
(G.II.P.) 



730 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

greens placed around it, and is used as a mascot; it is placed to one side of the 
circle and is appealed to by the players to give, them good numbers; this mascot is 
generally called '< Kum-mushk-ko-yo," a traditional fairy or witch. The name 
means ''the old spider woman." 

Sta. New Mexico. 

Mrs, Matilda Coxe Stevenson 1 describes the game as played by the 
Sia under the name of Wash'lcasi. 

Forty pebbles form a square, ten pebbles on a side, with a flat stone in the center 
of the square (fig. 51). Four flat blocks, painted black on one side and unpaiuted 
on the other, are held vertically and dropped upon the stone. 

The counts are as follows : 

4 painted sides up = 10 
4 unpainted sides up = 6 
3 painted sides up = 3 
2 painted sides up = 2 
1 painted side up = 

The players move in opposite di- 
rections, both starting at one of the 
corners. The game is described as 
the first of four games played by 
Po'shaiyanne, the Sia culture hero, 
with the tribal priest. The stake 
was the latter's house in the north. 
The second of the four games is of 
the bowl class, which I have included 
in this series. The stake in this 
game was the ti'amoni, or priest's, 
house in the west. It was played with six 2-inch cubes, which were 
highly polished and painted on one side. These were tossed up in 
a large bowl held with each hand. u When three painted sides are 
up, the game is won; with only two painted sides up, the game is lost. 
Six painted sides up is equivalent to a march in euchre." The games 
that followed were, first, a game played with four sticks with hollow 
ends, under one of which a pebble was hidden. This was played for 
the priest's house in the south. Second, a game played with four little 
mounds of sand, in one of which a small round stone was hidden. This 
was played for the priest's house in the east. The games were then 
repeated in the same order commencing with Wash'lcasi for the house 
in the zenith, the game with the six blocks for the house in the nadir, 
and finally, the third in order, that with the four sticks with hollow 
ends, lbr all the people of the tribe. 

Mr. Charles F. Lummis informs me he has witnessed the game with 
tin- staves or blocks in the following pueblos belonging to this stock: 
Acoma, Cochitr, Laguna, El Kito(Laguna Colony) and San Felipe. 



o 


o 


O O ( 


3 O 


o o 


o 





o 








o 


o 











o 











o 












o 


o 








o 


o 















o 








o 


o 











o 








c 


o 











o 





o o o o o o 

Fig. 51. 

CIRCUIT FOR SIA STAVE GAME 


o 


o 






Af 


i-r Steven 


son. 







1 The Sia, Eleventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1894, 
j,. 60. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



731 




KIOWAN STOCK. 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. L52908a, I.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of willow wood, 7 inches in length, g inch in width, 
and -{\ inch in thickness (tig. 52), nearly hemispherical in section, with 
one sidetlat, and having a deep groove, the stick being doubtless a sub- 
stitute for the cane, like that used by the Zufii, as suggested by Mr. 
Gushing. Three of the grooves are painted red, these sticks having 
two oblique marks burned across the grooved face near each end. The 
fourth stick has the groove painted black, with three lines burned across 
the middle in addition to those at the ends. Its rounded reverse is 
marked with a star in the center, composed of four crossed lines burned 
in the wood. The rounded sides of the others are plain. The col- 
lector, Mr. James Moo- 
ney, 1 prefaces his ac- 
count of the game with 
the following song, em- 
ployed in the Ghost 
Dance: 

Hise' hi, hisc' hi, 

1 1 <i tint baku' (ha' na } 

Hii tin& bain iha' na, 
Rati' ta-u' seta' na, 
Hiiti' ta-u' seta' na. 

TRANSLATION. 

My comrade, my comrade, 
Let us play the awl game, 
Let ns play the awl game, 
Let us play the dice game, 
Let us play the dice game. 

The vroman who composed 
this song tells how, on wak- 
iDg up in the spirit world. 

she met there a party of her former girl companions and sat down with them to 
play the two games universally popular with the prairie tribes. 

The first is called ni baku' thana by the Arapaho and bona or "awl game" from 
toon, an awl) by the Kiowa, on account ofan awl, the Indian woman's substitute for 
a needle, being used to keep record of the score. The game is becoming obsolete in 
the north, but is the everyday summer amusement of the women among the Kiowa. 
Comanche, and Apache in the southern plains. It isverj amusing on account of th< 
unforeseen " rivers" and " whips" that are constantly turning up to disappoint 
expectant winner, and a party of women will frequently sit around the blanki 
halt a day at a time, with a constant ripple of laughter and good-humored jolt 
they follow the chances of the play. It would make a very pretty picnic game, or 
could be readily adapted to the parlor of civilization. 

The players sit on the ground around a blanket marked in charcoal with lines and 
dots and quadrants in the corner., as Bhown in fig, 6, In the center a a Mom- upon 
which the sticks are thrown. Each dot, exoep ting those between the parallels, 




Fig. 52. 

SET OF STAYKS FOB BAMB. 

(The lowest stick shows obverse of one above it.i 

Length, 6$ inches. 

Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 1689086, U.S.N.M. 



1 The Ghost Dance Religion, Fourteenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnol- 
ogy, Washington, 1896, II. p. 1002. 



732 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



counts a point, making twenty-four points for dots. Each of the parallel lines and 
each cud of the curved lines at the corners also counts a point, making sixteen 
points for the lines, or forty points in all. The players start at the bottom, oppos- 
ing players moving in opposite directions, and with eacli throw of the sticks the 
thrower moves an awl forward and sticks it into the blanket at the dot or line to 
which her throw carries her. The parallels on each of the four sides are called 
"rivers," and the dots within these parallels do not count in the game. The rivers 
at the top and bottom are " dangerous" and can not be crossed, and when the 
player is so unlucky as to score a throw which brings her to the edge of the river 
(i.e., upon the first line of either of these pairs of parallels) she "falls into the 
river" and must lose all she has hitherto gained, and begin again at the start. In 
the same way, when a player moving around in one direction makes a throw which 



Z^ZZZZ 



$J± 



AA nl 



/XTv^v \' \/ 






Fig. 53. 

SET OF STAVES FOlt GAME. 

Length, S'l incites. 

Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 16290&Z, I'.s.N.M. 

brings her awl to the place occupied by the awl of her opponent coming around from 
the other side, the said opponent is "whipped back" to the starting point and must 
begin all over again. Thus there is a constant succession of unforeseen accidents, 
which furnish endless amusement to the players. 

The game is played with four sticks, each from 6 to 10 inches long, flat on one 
side and round on the other. One of these is the trump stick, and is marked in a 
distinctive manner in the center on both sides, and is also distinguished by having 
a green line along the flat side, while the others have each a red line. The Kiowa 
call the trump stick sahc, "green," on accouut of the green stripe, while the others 
are called guadal, "red." There are also a number of small green sticks, about the 
size of lead pencils, for keeping tally. Each player in turn takes up the four sticks 
together in her hand and throws them down on end upon the stone in the center. 
The number of points depends upon the number of Hat or round sides which turn 






CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



733 






up. A lucky throw with a green, or trump, stick generally gives the thrower 
another trial in addition. The formula is : 

1 flat side up = 1. 

1 flat side up (if sahe) = 1 and another throw. 

2 flat sides up (with or without sake) = 2. 

3 flat sides up — 3. 

3 flat sides up (including sahe) = 3 and another throw. 

All 4 flat sides up = 6 and another throw. 

All 4 round sides up = 10 and another throw . 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 1529086, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of a variety of alder, 5£ inches in length, ft inch in 
width, and J inch in thickness. Three with groove painted red, on 
Hat side, and one with groove painted black. The former are burned 
with four diagonal marks resembling the feathering of an arrow on 




=r 



J_ 



I .-^^.. 



--**- 




t_Z 




Fig. 54. 

STAVES FOR GAME. 

Length, 8£ inches. 

Kiowa Indiana, Indian Territory. 

Cat. N". 152908c, I'.S.VM. 

alternate sides of the groove near each end. The fourth stick has in 
addition two parallel marks burned directly across the middle. Its 
rounded reverse is burned with a design in the shape of a diamond. 
The reverses of the others are plain. 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat, No. 152908d, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of willow wood or chestnut sprout, 8g inches in 
length, | inch in breadth, and fcinch in thickness tig. 63). Three have 
flat sides with* lengthwise groove painted red. with parallel oblique lines 
like arrow feathering burned on alternate sides of the gro >ve at the 
ends, opposite to which are similar marks arranged in triaugles. The 
rounded reverses of these sticks are plain. The fourth stick has an 
incised device painted black and resembling two feathered arrows, 
the heads of which meet a transverse band cut across the middle. 



734 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Its rounded side lias three parallel lines burned across the center, on 
one side of which is an iucised design resembling a serpent, and on the 
other an undetermined figure. 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Oat. No. 152908c, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of elm wood, 8J inches in length, -,% inch in width, and 
!% inch in thickness (fig. 51). Three with groove painted red and one 
with groove painted black. Former burned with two sets of two parallel 
marks about lg inches apart across the grooved face near each end. 

The fourth stick has 
in addition oblique 



marks burned across 
the center of the same 



( 






^m* 



__ 







^ gsgg 



'■ ^ '■•>'■'•' V>" '-'A'- ''■" 



tTT^Z 



Lv 



^==^~£?&= 



— ^4 



Fiff- 55. 



side, with two pyra- 
midal dotted designs 
in the center of the 
opposite rounded side, 
which on the others is 
plain. 

Kiowa. Indian Ter- 
ritory. (Cat. No. 
152909a, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks, 5 J 
inches in length, -^ 
inch in breadth, and 
-vV inch in thickness 
(fig. 55). Section 
ellipsoidal. One side, 
slightly flatter than 
the other, is grooved 
and marked with fine 
cross lines, forming a 
lozenge pattern. Three are painted red and one dark green. One of 
the red sticks is burned in the center, with two parallel marks obliquely 
across both the grooved and opposite side. The green stick has an 
undetermined figure burned in the center of the rounded side, which 
on the other two is plain. 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 152909&, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks, 3f inches in length, ^ 6 - inch in breadth, and J inch in 
thickness. Flat sides grooved and painted, three red and one black. 
One of the red has an oblique incised line cut across the middle, and two 
parallel lines on the opposite, rounded side. The black stick has a 
small triangle cut lengthwise in the center of the rounded side, across 
which is a transverse incised line. 

Kiowa. Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 152909c, U.S.N.M.) 
Set of four sticks, 5g inches in length, ^ inch in breadth, and £ inch in 



SET OF STAVES FOE GAME. 

(The two lower sticks represent the obverses of those directly 

above.) 

Length, 5£ inches. 

Kiowa Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 152909a, U.S.N.M. 



Report of U S National Museum. 1896.— Culin. 



Plate 7. 



1 





Ivory and Wooden Dice. 

Tlingit Indians. Alaska. 

Cat. Nbs. E 894, 650, 1859, 650, loot. American Museum of Natural History. New York. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



735 



thickness. The flat sides are grooved ami have triangular expansions of 

the groove at each end. Three are painted red and one black. One of 
the red sticks is marked like the one in the preceding, and the black 
stick in the same manner. 

These Kiowa sticks were all collected by Mr. James Bfooney. In 
each set there is an odd stick, regarded by the author as corresponding 
with the dilate. 

KOLUSCHAN STOCK. 

Tlingit. Alaska. (Amer. Mns. Nat. Hist., New York.) 

Small ivory die (Cat. No. E. 050) (Plate 7), shaped like a chair, height 




Fig. 56. 

LEATHER TABLET ON WHICH DICK AUK THROWN. 

II. Lght, 7; inches. 

Tlingit Indiana, Alaska. 

Cat. N American Museum ol Natural Httory. 

1 inch, H inch wide at back, and -] '} inch at side, with vertical hole from 
top to bottom tilled with lead. It is called ket-chii. From Shakan. 

Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. G50) (Plate 7), like preceding. Sides 
engraved with crossed lines. Back has tour lead pings, and a hole for 
similar plug. Front has incised rectangular design with three had 
plugs. 



73f> 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Small ivory die (Cat, No. B. 894) (Plate 7), like preceding. Height 1 
inch, Jii inch wide at back, and -£$ inch at side. Front face has small 
plug of lead. 

Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. 1557) (Plate 7), like preceding, 1J 
inches high, ■{ -ji inch wide at back and sides. Back and three sides 
marked with incised lines. 

Small wooden die (Cat. No. E. 1859) (Plate 7), like preceding, || inch 
high and & inch wide at side. Perfectly plain. 

From Sitka. Designated as woman's gambling die. 
All the above were collected by Lieutenant Emmons. 

Dr. Boas informs me that one die is used. 
The counts are: Either side up = 0; back 
or front up = 1 ; bottom up = "2. The dice 
are thrown upon a thick tablet of leather 
cut with a totem ic device, about 8 inches 
square. One (Cat. No. E. GOO, fig. 56) has 
the device of a bear's head. Another (Cat. 
No. E. 1057) a beaver, and still another (Cat. 
No. E. 2404) an unidentified animal. Similar 
dice are used by the Kwakiuti. (See p. 710.) 

LUTUAMIAN STOCK. 

Klamath. Oregon. (Cat. No. 24120, 
U.S.N.M.) 
Four woodchuck teeth dice (fig. 57). Two, 
both lefts, stopped at the end with red cloth, 
and marked on the flat side with chevron 
pattern, and two, somewhat smaller, one 
right and the other left, apparently from 
the same animal, marked on the same side 
Collected by L. S. Dyer, Indian Agent. 
The game is described by Dr. Albert S. Gatschet, 1 under the name of 
Skushash. 




Fig. 57. 

SET OF WOODCHUCK TEETH DICE. 

Length, 1£ to If inches. 

Klamath Indians, Oregon. 

Cat. No. 24126, U.S.N.M. 



with five small holes. 



The four teeth of the heaver are marked for this game by the incision of parallel 
lines or crosses on one side, and a small piece of woolen or other cloth is inserted 
into the hollow to prevent hreaks in falling. The two longer or upper teeth of the 
beaver are called the male (lakf), the pair of lower and shorter the female teeth 
(gulo) kiilu; distributive form: ktikalu. The marked side of the teeth wins, if it 
is turned up after dropping. The teeth of the woodchuck (mii-i, moi) serve for the 
same purpose. 

A further account of the game is found in the text translated by Dr. 
Gatschet: 

The Klamath Lake females play a game with heavers' teeth, letting them drop 
on a ruhhing stone. When all the teeth fall with the marked side; uppermost, they 
win two checks. If both female teeth fall right (marked) side up, they win one 
check. If both male teeth fall right side up, they win one check. Falling 



' The Klamath Indians, Contributions to North American Ethnology, Washington, 
1890, II, Pt. 1, p. 81. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



737 



unequally, they win nothing. They quit when one side lias won all the stakes. 
In this game of heavers' teeth {puman iiit) or woodchucks' teeth {muyam tit) they 
use twelve check sticks to count their gains with. The game is played by two 
persons, or by two partners on each side. Women only play thi^ game. 

The beaver teeth game may be regarded as a modification of the 
bone game, played by the Blaekfeet. The four beaver teeth marked 
with circles or dots and lines arranged in chevrons clearly replace the 
four similarly marked staves. Again the tooth tied with sinew see 
account by Mr. Eells, p. 747) corresponds with the sinew wrapped stave. 
The counters, 2, agree with those of the Blaekfeet. 

MARIPOSAN STOCK. 

Yokut. Fort Tejon and Tule River, California. (Cat. No. 19G95, 
CT.S.N.M.) * 
Set of eight dice (fig. 58), made of canyon walnut shells split in the 
middle, and each half bowl filled with pitch and powdered charcoal 











Fig. 58. 

SET OF WALNUT SHELL DICE. 

Diameter, 1 inch. 

Yoktit Indians, California. 

Cat. So. 19695, I'.S.VM. 

inlaid with small red and white glass beads and bits of abalone shell. 
Collected by Stephen Powers. 
The game is thus described by the collector: ' 

The Yokuts have a sort of gambling which pertains exclusively to women. It is 
a (rind of dice throwing and is called u-chu'-us. For a dice they take half of a large 
acorn or walnut shell, fill it level with pitch and pounded charcoal, and inlay it 
with hits of bright-colored abalone shells. For a dice-table they weave a very lai 
fine basket-tray, almost fiat, and ornamented with devices woven in black or brown, 
mostly rude imitations of trees and geometrical figures. Four squaws sit around it 
to play, and a fifth keeps tally with fifteen sticks. There arc eight dice, and they 
scoop them up in their hands and dash them into the basket, counting one \\ hen t wo 
or live flat surfaces turn up. The rapidity with which the game goes forward is 
wonderful, and the players seem totally oblivious to all things in the world bee 
After each throw that a player makes she exclaims, yet ni (equivalent to one-j 
wi-a-tak, or ho-mai-4h, which are simply a kind of sing-song or chanting. 

■Stephen Powers, Tribes of California, Contributions to North American Eth- 
nology, III, p. 377, Washington, l s T7. 

NAT Mrs 90 47 



738 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



NATCHESAN STOCK. 

\ \ i 'chez. Louisiana. 

Le Page du Prat/. 1 says, referring to the women's game of the 
Natchez: 

These pieces with which they play are three little hits of cane from 8 to 9 inches 
long, split in two equal parts and pointed at the ends. Each piece is distinguished 
by the designs which are engraved on the convex side. They play three at a time 

and each woman has her piece. To play this game they hold two of these pieces of 
cane on the open left hand, and the third in the right hand, the round side upper- 
most, with which they strike upon the others, taking care to only touch the end. 
The three pieces fall, and when there are two of them which have the convex side 
uppermost, the player marks one point. If there is only one, she marks nothing. 
After the first, the two others play in their turn. 

PIMAN STOCK. 

Papago. Pima County, Arizona. (Cat. No. 174516, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of sehuara cactus, about 9J inches in length, f inch 
in width and J inch thick (fig. 59). Section ellipsoidal. Painted solid 



Fig. 59. 
SET OF STAVES FOR CHIXG-SKOOT. 

Length, fl£ inches. 

Papago Indians, Pima County, Arizona. 

Cat. No. 174516, U.S.N.M. 



red on one side, " which is flat and marked with black lines of numerical 
and sex significance." Collected by Mr. W J McGee and Mr. William 
Diuwiddie. 

The same is described by the collectors under the name of Ghing- 
skoot. The four marked faces receive the following names: 

(a) ''Old man.*' 
(c) " Young man." 
b) "Old woman." 
(<l ) " Young woman." 

In the play the sticks are held vertically, bunched in the right hand, 
and struck from underneath on their lower ends by a stone grasped in 
the left hand, the blow shooting them vertically into the air (Plate 8). 



Histoire de la Louisiane, Paris, 1768, III, p. 4. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896— Culm. 



Plate 8. 




Papago Indian Striking Staves in the Air in Playing Ghing-skoot. 
From a photograph by William Dinwiddie. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 

When 2 hacks and 2 fronts of any Mirks come up it equals 

When 3 fronts and 1 l>ack of any sticks come np it equals 3. 

When 3 backs and the " Young Man '* come up it counts 4. 

All fronts np count 

When 3 hacks ami the "Old Woman" come up it eonnl - 

All backs ■•onnt 10. 

When 3 backs and the " Young Woman" come up it counts 14. 

When :; backs and the "Old Man" come np it counts 15. 

It the -ticks touch or fall on one another the throw must l»e repeat 

The counts are kept upon a rectangle marked on the ground fig. 60 . 
usually approximating 12 by 8 feet, having- ten holes or pockets, count- 
ing the corners eacli time, along each side. At two alternate coiners 
are two quadrants called "houses' 1 Jcee of live holes each, not count- 
ing the corner holes, called --doors" {jov-ta . 

PLAYER 

Oooooo^ ooo 
o 

o 
o 
o 

PLAYER© 

^o o o 

\o o o 



o 


o< 


— ~ r- 




o 


O 




o 


D 




o 

o 


o • 






\o o 



o 



°o° o 

ooooo ^ OOOOO 

d v^y c b 4 

PLAYER 
Ke 60. 



CIRCUIT FOR PAPA'.O STAVE GAMK. 



The game is played by two, three, or four playei - -'-It' or partners, 
with counters railed "horses." These usually number two foi each 
player. They are put into play consecutively and by alternate tin 
of the players. A throw of less than ri\«\ which does no( cs 
horses out of the door (two . prevents a player from «-n r «-i i i _ her 

horse until hi> agg Ejate throws are 5-f, thus patting his horse into 
the rectangle proper. After all the horses of a single contest mt 
in play, he may move the same horse continuously. In counting the 
pockets, from "A" to either of the nearest corners, is 1~>. U is optional 
with the player whether he turns to the lefl _ht upon leaving the 

door, though he must move his horse around the n e in the same 



At this play they all laugh, and say the player " has not done skinning himc 



740 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



direction after once starting. If "X" throw 15, moving to "«," and 
"\Y" throws the same number, enabling him to move to the same point, 
he "kills" or throws "XV horse out of play, and he must start his 
piece over again ; and again, if he should throw 14, he accomplishes the 
same result (there is no "one" in the stick count). However, if "X" 
should get to u c n and "W" throw 10 from "house," and get to u d, n he 
does not kill him. If on the next throw " W" throws 14 and "X" has 
not moved from "c" he kills him. 

.V horse must run entirely around the rectangle and back into the 
house x>ockets, where he is safe from being "killed;" but to make him 
a winning piece, the exact number to count to "«■" must be thrown by 
the sticks. When a horse is upon a pocket adjoining " a," a two throw 




C 




IZI 






Fig. 61. 

SET OF STAVES FOR GAME. 

Length, 9 inches. 
Pima Indians, Arizona. 

Cat. Xo. 27342, U.S.X.M. 

is considered out. The object of the game is to carry all the horses 
around the pockets and out again at "a," the first player succeeding 
in this being declared the winner. 

Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 27842, U.S.X.M.) 

Set of four sticks of willow 1 wood, 9 inches in length, J inch in 
breadth, and \ inch in thickness (fig. 61). Flat on one side, which is 
incised with transverse and diagonal lines filled in with black paint; 
opposite, rounded and painted red. Collected by Mrs. G. Stout. 

Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 27843, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of willow l wood, 8§ inches in length, f inch in 
breadth, and J inch in thickness (fig. 62). Identical with preceding, 
except in the arrangement of the incised lines. Collected by Mrs. G. 
Stout. 



1 Salix amygdaloides. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



741 



Pima. Arizona. (Cat. No. 7G017, GT.S.N.M.) 

Set of lour sticks of hazel wood, 7£ inches iu length, J inch in breadth, 




^X 



X2 




Fig. 62. 

SET OF STAVES FOR GAME. 

Length, 8g inches. 
Pima Indians, Arizona. 

Cat. No. 20S43, U.S.N.M. 



and J inch in thickness (fig. 63). Flat on one side, and marked with 
incised lines cut at angles across the sticks. These lines are painted 










Big. 63. 
SET OF ff] LVBS i <>K OAMB. 

Length, 7; inches. 
Pima Indians, Arizona. 

. N . J«017, I .S.N.M. 



red. and the inscribed faces painted black. Opposite, rounded Bides, 
plain. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. Described as men's >ti< 



A 




oOo^ 




o o 




ooooo 


ooooo 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 


o 



742 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM. 1896. 

Mr. Palmer states: 

A space of 10 square feet is inclosed by holes made in the ground (fig. 64). At 
opposite corners on the outside are two semicircular rows of live holes each. At 1he 

beginning a marking stick is put in the center 
hole A of each semicircle, and the point is to 
play around the square, and back again to the 
center hole. Each pair of players moves the 
pegs in opposite directions, and "whenever the 
count is made that would bring the stick to the 
hole occupied by that of the antagonist, he is 
sent back to his original starting place. 
The counts are as follows: 

4 round sides up = 10. 
4 flat sides up = 5. 

When only one flat side is up, it counts what- 
ever is marked on it; any three, counts 3, and any 

Q O two > 2 - 

O ° Pima. Arizona, (Cat. No. 76018, U.S.N.M.) 

O 2 Set of four sticks, 7| inches long, h inch. 

o n O n ft OOOOO * n breadth, and J inch in thickness. Flat 

O on one side and painted black; opposite, 

O O rounded and painted red. Collected by 

ng. 64. Mr. Edward Palmer. Described by the 

circuit for riMA stave game. collector as women's sticks. Two play. 

With Cat. No. 76017, U.S.N. M. Collected by rr\\ 4. • 1 „ 1 n • <i ^ •l^l i 

Edward raimer. The sticks are held m the right hand, 

between the thumb and forefinger, and, 
with an underthrow, touch the ground slightly, and are let fly. 
The counts are as follows : 

4 hlacks = 2. 
4 reds = 1. 
2 blacks = out. 



6A_ 
8 4 6 J 



Tarahumara. Pueblo of Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. No. 
Anier. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.) 
Set of four split reeds, 1 6 inches in length and J inch in width, 
marked on inner, flat sides, as shown in fig. Go. Opposite sides plain. 
Used in the game of Ro-ma-la-~ka, or Quince (Plate 9). They call the 
sticks Roma-la. 

Tepeguana. Talayote, near Nabogame, Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. 
Nb« ;»¥r> Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., New York.) 
Set of four ash-wood sticks, 18.] inches in length, J inch broad, and 
J inch thick, marked on one side with incised lines smeared with red 
paint (Plate 10, fig. 1); reverse, plain. 

Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mexico. (Cat. No. # -, Amer. Mus. Nat. 
Hist., New York.) 
Set of four ash-wood sticks identical with the preceding, except that 
they are 16jj inches in length. (Plate 10, fig. 2.) 



1 Called by the natives tubar. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1 896.— Culm. 



Plate 9. 







1 

1 


> 

3J 


'jfh 




> 

I 
C 

> 

JO 

> 

z 

D 
> 

z 
co 

"0 




* > v /a, sit 


> 

< 

z 
o 


m %t* " 




c 

z 
o 
m 




5 

J 


H 

H 
I 

m 

c 
m 

CD 


JB* 


• 


o 
o 

T 

rn 

z ' 1 
> 

CO 

° 


■^ 




CO 
I - 
> 

z 

o 


By*''' 






«^ ■-/. f 





Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 10. 




Sets of Staves for Game of Quince. 
Lengths: „. is.', inches; b, L6J Inches; c, 11J to r; Inches 

Tepeguana Indians. Chiliualuia. Mexico. 
Cat. Nos. 9 B jV gYo, t8§9i American Museum of Natural BUstor] N fork. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



743 










Fig. 65. 

SET OF STAVES FOR GAME OF RO-MA-LA-KA. 

Length, 6 inches. 
Tarahumara Indians, Pueblo of Carichic, Chihuahua, Mexico. 

Cat. No. g^g, American Museum of Natural History. , 







Pig 
SET OF STAVES FOB (iA.ME. 

Length, *>A inches. 
Tepeguana Indians, Cbihuahna, Mexico 

• lojhi Anurlcan Museum of Natural I 



744 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mexico. (Oat. No. i{;f 9 . Amer. Mus. Nat. 

Hist.. New York.) 

Set of four sticks of canyon walnut or hickory, of slightly different 

lengths, from 11J to 13 J inches; ^ inch wide and J inch thick. One 

side flat with incised designs composed of straight and oblique lines. 

the incised places being stained 

o ° red (Plate 10, fig. 3); opposite 

o sides rounded and plain. 

O 
°ooooo ooooo Tepeguana. Chihuahua, Mex- 

o o ico. (Cat. Xo. totsj Amer. 

o o Mus. Xat. Hist., New York. | 

o . o Set of four sticks of pinon wood, 

° ° 6J inches in length and f inch 

square. These sticks have four 
instead of two faces. Two oppo- 
site sides are flat and unpainted. 
One set of the other four sides are 
unpainted, with incised lines filled 
with red paint, as shown in fig. GO. 
The sides opposite to these are 
slightly rounded and painted red. 
The top stick is marked with a 
diagonal line across the middle, the 
next with two straight transverse 
lines near each end, the third is 
plain, and the fourth has a single 
transverse cut across the middle. 
The preceding Tarahumara and 
Tepeguana specimens were all collected by Dr. Carl Lumholtz. He 
informs me that the Tepeguana call the game In-tu-viga-i | zu-li | ga-i- 
rd-ga-i, "game straight throwing.' 7 It is also generally known by the 
Spanish name of Quince, 1 or "Fifteen." 

lie states that it is played by all the tribes in Chihuahua who live 
in or near the Sierra, and by the Mexicans as well, but is not seen 
south of the State of Durango. It is not known to the Cora or 
Huichole in the State of Jalisco, or to the Tarasco of Michoacan. 2 

1 Also in French, Quinze, "a popular game with cards, in which the object is to 
make fifteen points.'' Tbe name (Jinnee does not appear to be confined anions the 
Indians to tin- game played with staves. Mr. Edward Palmer describes the follow- 
ing game under the name of (Jains (quincel) among the Pima of Arizona: "Any 
i) in ii 1 >« r can play. A short, split stick is first tbrown in a slanting direction, and 
each <>ne pitches his arrow to see who can come nearest to it. The one who does so 
holds the stick up while the others pitch. If the arrow touches the split stick and 
docs not catch, the thrower loses nothing. If, however, the arrow remains in the 
split stick it becomes the property of the holder. The game ends when one has all 
the arrows or they tire out." 

Mi. ( . V. Hartman, who accompanied Dr. Lumholtz, informs me that Quince is 
played with four Rattened reeds by the Zaque Indians of the Rio Fuerte in Sinaloa. 
They call tin- game in their language ke-zu-te. 



o 




















o 




o 




















o 




o 




















o 




o 




















o 




o 


O 











Fig. 67. 


c 


o 








o 









o 


CIBCUIT 


FOB TEPEGUANA AND 


TARAHCMAKA STAVE 












GAME. 






















Dr. 


Carl Lumholtz. 













CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



745 



Dr. Lumholtz informs me that Quince is played by throwing the four 
staves against a flat stone, the counts being kept around a diagram 
(fig. 07), which consists of holes pecked in the rock, about 3 by 1 feet. 

PUJUNAN STOCK. 

Xishinam. California. Powers' gives the following account: 

The ha is a game of dice, played by men or women, two, three, or four together, 
The dice, four in number, consist of two acorns split lengthwise into halves, with 
the outsides scraped and painted red or black. They are shaken in the hands and 
thrown into a wide, flat basket, woven in or- 
namental patterns, sometimes worth $25. 
One paint and three whites, or vice versa, 
score nothing; two of each score one; four 
alike score four. The thrower keeps on throw- 
ing until he makes a blank throw, when aJ^v \\*) 
another takes the dice. When all the play- 
ers have stood their turn, the one who has 
scored most takes the stakes, which in this 
game are generally small, say a "bit.'' 

SALISHAN STOCK. 

Clallam. Port Gamble, Washing 
ton. (Cat. No. 19653, Field Co- 
lumbian Museum, Chicago.) 
Set of four beaver teeth dice, two 
with straight lines and two with cir- 
cles. Collected by Rev. Myron Eells. 
Mr. Eells writes: 

Precisely the same kind are used by the 
Twana, Puyallup, Snohomish, Chehalis, ;ind 
Queniut, in fact by all the tribes on Paget 
Sound. I have obtained them from the 
Twana and Queniut. 

To this list Mr. Eells has added 
the Cowlitz, Lummi, Skagit, and 
Squaxon and the Soke of British 
Columbia. 




Tulalip Agency, 
(Cat, Xo. 130990, 



Fig 

BEATER I BETH DH 

Lengl h. 1 1 to - inches. 
Snohomish (? ) [ndians, Tulalip Agency, 



Washington. 

. 180990, (J.S.N.M. 



Snohomish (?) 2 

Washington. 

U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four beaver teeth dice (fig. 68). 

Two, both lefts, stopped at end and marked on fiat side with rings 

and dots, and two, rights and lefts, both apparently from the same 

animal, with both sides plain. Twenty -eight radial bones of birds, 

'Contributions to North American Ethnology, Washington, i s 77. III. p. 332. 

-It is not possible to determine the tribe exactly. The tribes al the Tulalip Agency 
are given in Powell's Indian Linguistic Families of North America as follows: Sno- 
homish, 443; Madison, 14A; Muckleshoot, 103; Swinomish. 227; Lummi, 295. 



746 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



about 3 inches in length (tig. 69), used as counters. Collected by 
Mr. E. 0. Gherouse. Designated by the collector as a woman's game. 

Lku'xgen (Songish). Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 

Dr. Franz Boas 1 
gives the following 
account: 

Smetale'f a game of 
dice, is played with 
four beaver teeth, two 
being marked on one 
of their fiat sides with 
two rows of small cir- 
cles. They are called 
"women" {sta'nae smv- 
taW). The two others 
are marked on one of 
the flat sides with 
cross lines. They are 
called "raeu" (suwe' 
k-'a smvtalt'). One of 
them is tied with a 
The game is played by two 




Fig. G9. 
GAME COUNTERS. RADIAL BONES OF BIRD. 

Length, about 3 inches. 
Snohomish (?) Indians, Tnlalip Agency, Washington. 

Cat. No. 130990, U.S.N.M. 



small string in the middle. It is called iHJr' ale" & sen. 

persons. According to the value of the stakes, thirty or forty sticks are placed 



between the players. One begins to throw 
up or down he wins two sticks. 
If the faces of the two "men" 
are up, of the two " women" 
down, or vice versa, he wins one 
stiek. When the face of the iHk-' 
ak'" ('' sen is up, all others down, 
or vice versa, he wins four sticks. 
Whoever wins a stick goes on 
playing. When one of the play- 
ers has obtained all the sticks 
he wins the game. 

Nisqualli. Washington. 
Mr. George Gibbs 2 states : 

The women have a game be- 
longing properly to themselves. 
It is played with four beaver 
teeth, meh-ta-la, having particu- 
lar marks on each side. They 
are thrown as dice, success de- 
pending on the arrangement in 
which they fall. 



When all the marked faces are either 




Fig. 70. 

SET OF BEAVER TEETH DICE. 

Length, 1$ inches. 

Thompson River Indians, interior of British Columbia. 

Cat. No. g^j, American Museum of Natural Ilitory. 



In his Dictionary of the Xisqualli, the name of the game is given as 
me-tala, s'me-ta-la; the highest or four point of the dice, Ices. 



' Se<ond General Report on the Indians of British Columbia, Report of the Sixtieth 
meeting of the British Association lor the Advancement of Science, Leeds, 1890, 
London. 1891, p. 571. 

2 Contributions to North American Ethnology, I, p. 206. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 747 

Nslakyapamuk (Niakapamux). 
Thompson River Indians, interior of British Columbia. (Gat. No. 

Anicr. Mas. of Nat. Hist., New York.) 

Set of four beaver teeth dice (fig*. 70); one, partly split, wrapped with 
sinew. Marked on one face with lines and dots. Opposite sides plain. 
Collected by Mr. James Teit. 
Shooshwap. British Columbia. 

Dr. Boas 1 states they play the game of dice with beaver teeth. 
Twana. Washington. 

Kev. M. Eells writes: 2 

The dice are made of beavers' teeth generally, but sometimes from musk rats' 
teeth. There are two pairs of them, aud generally two persons play, one on each 
side, but sometimes there are two or three on each side. The teeth are taken in one 
hand and thrown after the manner of dice. One has a string around the middle. 
If this one is down and all the rest are up, or up and the rest down, it counts four; 
if all are up or down, it counts two; if one pair is up and the other down it couuts 
one; if one pair is up or down and the other divided, unless it be as above, when it 
couuts four, then it counts nothing; 30 is a game, but they generally play three 
games, and bet more or less, money, dresses, or other things. They sometimes barn 
very expertly to throw the one with the string on differently from the others, by 
arranging them in the hand so they can hold this one;, which they know by feeling, 
a trifle longer than the others. 

SHAHAPTIAN STOCK. 

Klickitat. Washington. (Cat. No. 20055, Mas. Arch., Univ. Perm.) 
Three beaver teeth dice, two marked with five circles with central 
dot and one with chevrons on flat side. All have ends wrapped with 
sinew to prevent splitting. One with circles and one with chevrons 
wrapped about the middle with sinew. Collected by Mr. A. B. Averill. 

SHOSHONEAN STOCK. 

Comanche. Kiowa Reservation, Indian Territory. (Cat. No. 1 .*>i_ M .H 1*7, 
U.S.N. M.) 
Set of six bone dice, having both faces convex, and bearing on one 
face incised designs (tig. 71) filled with red paint. The reverses are 
plain, with the exception of the third from the left, which has a cross 
inscribed upon the back. The device on the (ace of this die was 
intended to represent the head of a buffalo, which is more plainly 
delineated upon one of the Mandan dice (fig. SI). Two of the plum 
stones in the Sioux game described by Colonel McChesnex p. Too 
have a buffalo head on one side, opposite to which is a cross. Col 
lected by Mr. James Mooney, 1891. Described by the collector i- 
played by women, and shaken up in a basket. 

Comanche. Kiowa Reservation, Indian Territory. Oat. N<>. L5291 1/'. 
U.S.N.M. 
Set of six bone dice with designs like those on the preceding, but 

1 Second Geneial Report on tlie Indians of British ( Eolumbia, p. 641. 
2 Bulletin, U. S. Geological and Geographical Survey, III. No. 1. p. I 



748 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



painted green instead of red (fig. 72). Collected by Mr. James Mooney, 

1891. 

Parte. South Utah. (Cat. No. 9411, Peabody Museum.) 

Fourteen strips of cane 5| inches long and in width, with the inner, 
curved sides painted red (tig. 7-*). Said to be used upon the dice prin- 
ciple, the red sides only being counted. Collected by Mr. Edward 
Palmer. 




s\ 








Fig. 71. 

SET OF BONE DICE. 

Lengths, 1J to \% inches. 

Comanche Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. No. 152911a, U.S.N.M. 

Paiute. Pyramid Lake, Nevada. (Cat. No. 19054, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of twelve sticks of grease wood 1 1J inches in length, t% inch in 
breadth, and J inch in thickness (fig. 74). Both sides rounded, the outer 
painted red and the inner unpainted. Collected by Stephen Powers. 
Described by the collector as women's gambling sticks. 







Fig. 72. 

PET OF BONE DICE. 

Lengths, 1| and li inches. 

Comanche Indians, Indian Territory. 

Cat. N<>. 152911ft, t.S.N.M. 

SHOSHONI. Fort Hall Agency, Idaho. (Cat. Xo. 22285, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks 10 inches in length, & inch in breadth, and -, 3 6 - inch 
in thickness; rectangular in section (fig. 75). Made from grooved box 
boards, which Mr. dishing pointed out to the writer were used as a 
substitute for split canes. Burned on inner grooved side with four 
transverse marks, two near each end. Collected by William H. 
D anil son. 



l Larrea Mexicana. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm 



Plate 11 




Bark Tablets thrown as Dice. 

Length. 5 to 10 inches. 
Uinkaret Indians, Utah. 
Cat. No. 11217, U.S.N.M. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



749 



Uinkaret. 1 Arizona. (Cat. ^ T o. 11217, U.S.KM.) 

Ten liat pieces of cedar bark (Plate 11), rectangular, with rounded cor- 
ners, from 5 to 10 inches in length and lj to 2J inches in width. Inner, 




Fiff. 73. 

GAMING CANES. 

Length, 5| inches. 
Paiute Indians, southern Utah. 

Cst. No. 9411, Peabody Museum of American Archeology. 

smooth sides marked with blotches of red paint; reverse plain. Col- 
lected by Maj. J. W. Powell, who has kindly furnished me with the 
following information concerning them: 

They were used as dice, but the method of counting I do not now renieraber. In 
fact, there were peculiarities in the count which I never quite mastered, but I remem- 




Fijr. 74. 
SET OF STICKS FOB OAME. 

Length, 2] inches. 
Paiute Indians, Nevada- 
Cat n i .S.N.M. 



1 Mr. Frederick W. Hodge informs me that the Uinkaret formed a division of the 
Paiute, and in 1873-7-1 lived in mountains of the same name in Northern Arizona. 

"Their population at that time was only 101, and I have no doubt they ar Hcially 

recognized as Paiute proper. The name means 'Where the pine grows.' Powell is 

the only one who has mentioned them, as he is practically the only student who has 
studied this branch of the Shoshonean tribes," 



7f>0 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



ber that 1 was satisfied that every piece represented a region. The bark cards were 
shamed by tossing- them in a little tray basket, or kaicltoats, sometimes used by the 
women as taps, but having a more general use as gathering baskets. They were 
shaken up under the concealment of a blanket and tossed upon another blanket, and 
different arrangement produced different numbers, which were counted upon little 
sticks. Each party in the game started with a definite number of these sticks, and 
the final winner was the one who accumulated all in his pile. 




Fig. 75. 

SET OF STAVES FOE GAME. 

Length, 10 inches. 
Shoshoni Indians, Fort Hall Agency, Idaho. 

Cat. No. 22285, U.S.N. M. 

SIOUAN STOCK. 

Asstnaboin. Dakota. (Cat. No. 8498, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks of polished hickory 15£ inches in length, about 1 
inch in breadth in center, tapering to f inch at ends, and J inch in 
thickness. Two are burned on one side with war calumets, or toma- 
hawks, and with crosses (stars?) at each end, and two each with four 




Fig. 76. 

8ET OF STAVES FOR GAME. 

Length, 15£ inches. 
Assinaboin Indians, Dakota. 

Cat. No. 8498, U.S.N.M. 

bear tracks, with stripes of red paint between (fig. 76;. Opposite sides 
plain. Ends rounded, one notched and tied with sinew to prevent 
splitting. Collected by Dr. J. P. Kimball. 

Assinaboin. Upper Missouri. 

In a report to Hon. Isaac I. Stevens, Governor of Washington Terri- 
tory, on the Indian tribes of the Upper Missouri, by Mr. Edwin T. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



751 



Denig, a manuscript 1 in the library of the Bureau of American Eth- 
nology, there occurs the following accounts of the bowl and stave game 
among the Assinaboin : 

Most of the leisure time, either by night or by day, among all these nations is 
devoted to gambling in various ways, and such is their infatuation that it is tin- 
cause of much distress and poverty in families. For this reason the name of being 
a desperate gambler forms a great obstacle in the way of a young man getting a 
wife. Many quarrels arise among them from this source, and we are well acquainted 
with an Indian who a few years since killed another because after winning all he 
had he refused to put up his wife to be played for. Every day and night in the sol- 
dier's lodge not occupied by busi- 
ness matters presents gambling in 
various ways all the time; also in 
many private lodges the song of 
hand gambling and the rattle of 
the bowl dice can be heard. 

Women are as much addicted to 
the practice as men, though their 
games are different, and not being 
in possession of much property 
their losses, although considerable 
to them, are not so distressing. 
The principal game played by men 
is that of the bowl, or cosso-6, 
which is a bowl made of wood 
with flat bottom 1 foot in diame- 
ter or less, the rim turned up about 
2 inches, and highly polished inside 
and out. A drawing and a descrip- 
tion of the arithmetical principles 
oi this game is now attached in 
thisplace. Themauner of counting 
therein mentioned is the manner in 
which Ave learned it from the Indi- 
ans, but the value of each of the articles composing the dice can be and is changed 
sometimes in default of some of them being lost, and again by agreement among the 
players in order to lengthen or shorten the game or facilitate the counting. How- 
ever, the best and most experienced bands play it as it is represented. It can be 
played between two or four; that is, either one on each side or two against two. 
The game has no limit unless it is so agreed in the commencement, but this is 
seldom done, it being usually understood that the players continue until one party 
is completely ruined. 

The dice and their counts [tig. 77] are as follows ; 

( Ine large crow's claw, red on one side and black on the other, being t he only one 
that will occasionally .stand on end, in which case twenty-live for it is counted, 
besides its value of five when on its side. 

Four small crow's (laws, painted the same as the large one. which count ii\ e each 
if the red side turns up; if the black, nothing. 

Five plum stones, black on one side and scraped white on the other; the black 
sides turned up are valued at four each ; the white sides nothin 

Five small round pieces of blue china, J inch in diameter, which count three each 
for the blue side ; the white side nothing. 




Fig. 77. 

A»INAHOIN T HOWL GAME. 
From a .sketch by Edwin T. Di-tii^- 



1 Kindly loaned to the writer by the librarian of the Bureau, Mr. Frederick W< 
Hodge. 



752 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Five vest bnttoos, the eyes tiled off; the eye side turned up counts two each; the 
smooth Bide nothing. 

Five heads of brass tacks; the concave side turning up counts one each; the 
convex side nothing. 




First Throw : 

Big claw on end, 30, and 3 red claws, 15 =45 

2 burnt sides np, nothing = 

3 blue sides up, 3 each = 9 
1 eye side op, nothing = 

4 concaves up, 1 each = 4 



58 



Second Throw: 

2 red, none on end, nothing by claws 

3 burnt sides up, 4 each 
5 blue sides up, 3 each 

3 eye sides up, 2 each 

2 concaves, nothing by tacks 



= 
= 12 

= 15 

= 6 
= 

33 



Third Throw: 

N. B. — This is the best throw that can be made 
and takes all the stakes when the game does not 
exceed 100. 

Big claw on end, 30, all the rest red, 20 =50 
5 burnt sides up. 4 each =20 

5 blue sides up, 3 each = 15 

5 eye sides up, 2 each = 10 

5 concave tacks, 1 each = 5 



100 



Fig. 78. 

COUNTd IN A--IN vlioiN BOWL GAME. 

From a sketch by Edwin T. l)cniu'. 



The bowl is held by the tips of the four fingers inside the rim. and the thumb 
underneath. The dice being put in, they are thrown up a few inches by striking the 
bottom of the bowl on the ground, so that each counter makes several revolutions. 
It is altogether a game of chance, and no advantage can be taken by anyone in 
making the throws. The counters or dice never leave the bowl, but are counted as 
the valne tarns u;> according to the plate inserted in this place describing the same. 
» >ne person having shaken it and the amount of his throw having been ascertained, 
a requisite number of small sticks are placed before him, each stick counting one. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 7~j3 

In this way tlic game is kept, but each keeps bis adversary's game, not his own; 
that is, be bands him a number of sticks equal to the amount of his throw, which 
are laid so that all cau see them. Each throws in turn unless the big claw stands 
on end, in which case the person is entitled to a successive throw. By much practice 
they are able to count the number turned up at a glance, and the principles <>t" the 
game being stated on the drawing we will now describe how it is carried on. It 
has been observed in these pages, in references to their gambling, that it is much 
fairer in its nature than the same as carried on by the whites, and this is worthy of 
attention, inasmuch as it shows how the loser is propitiated, so that the game may 
not result in quarrel or bloodshed, as is often the case. The game is mostly played 
by the soldiers and warriors, and each must feel equal to the other in courage and 
resolution : it is often kept up for two or three days and nights without any inter- 
mission, except to eat, until one of the parties is ruined. 

Example. — A plays against B; each puts up a knife, and they throw alternately 
until 100 is counted by dice; say A wins. B now puts up his shirt against two 
knives, which is about equal in value; say A wins again. Bthen stakes his powder- 
bora and some arrows against the whole of A's winnings. Should 13 now win, the 
game commences again at the beginning, as A would only have lost a knife; but, 
supposing A wins, B now puts up his bow and quiver of arrows against all A 
has won. The stakes are never withdrawn but let lie in front of them. Say A again 
wins. B then stakes his blanket and leggings, which are about equal in value to all 
A has won, or, if not, it is equalized by adding or subtracting some article. Sup- 
posing A again to be winner, he would then be in possession of 2 kuives, 1 shirt. 
1 blanket, 1 powderhorn, 1 bow and quiver of arrows, and 1 pair leggings, the 
whole of which the Indians value at 8 robes. B now stakes his gun against all the 
above of As winnings; uow if A again wins, be only retains the gun. and the whole 
of the rest of the property won by A returns to B, but he is obliged to stake it all 
against his gun in possession of A, and play again. If A wins the second time, he 
retains the whole, and B now puts up his horse against all of A's winnings, including 
gun. If A wins, he retains only the horse, and the gun and everything else revert 
agaiu to 13, he being obliged to stake them again against the horse in A's possession! 
If A wins this time, he keeps the whole, but if B wins he only gets back the horse 
and gun, and all the rest of the property goes to A. Supposing B again loses and 
continues losing until all his personal property has passed into the hands of A, then 
B, as a last resort, stakes his wife and lodge against all his property in the hands of 
A. If A wins, he only keeps the woman; the horse, gun. and all other property 
returns again to B, with the understanding, however, that he stake it all to get back 
his wife. Now if B loses, he is ruined, but if A loses he gives up only the woman 
and the horse, continuing to play with the rest of the articles against the fa 
until one or the other is broke. 

At this stage of the game the excitement is very great. The spectators crowd 
around and intense fierceness prevails. Few words are exchanged, and no remarks 
made by those looking on. If the loser be completely ruined and a desperate m in. 
it is more than likely he will by quarrel endeavor to repossess himself of some of 
his property, but they are generally well matched ill this respect, though bloody 
struggles are often the consequence. We have known Indians to lose everything, 
horse, dogs, cooking utensils, lodge, wife, even to his wearing apparel, and be oh! 
to beg an old skin from someone to cover himself, and seek a shelter in the lodg 
one of his relations. It is, however, considered a mark of manliness to Buffer no 
discomposure to be perceptible on account of the loss, but in mos we imag 

this a restraint forced upon the loser by the character >f his adversary. Suicide is 
never committed on these occasions. His rengeanceseeka some other outlet — in war 
expeditions, or some way to acquire property that he may again play and reti 
his losses. There are some who invariably lose and are poor all.their lives. \ man 
may with honor stop playing with the loss of his gun. He baa, alao, n second oppor- 
tunity to retire on losing his horse, and when this is 90 understood at the CommenCO- 
NAT 3ITJS DC 18 



754 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



nient they do; but when a regular set to takes place between two soldiers, it generally 
ends as above described. 

The usual game which women play alone— that is, without the men— is called Chun- 
lcan-dee, and is performed with by four sticks marked on one side and blank on the 

other, as described in the inclosed plate. The 
women all sit in a circle around the edge of some 
skin spread upon the ground, each with her stake 
before her. One of them gathers up the sticks 
and throws them down forcibly on the end, which 
a I fl makes them bound and whirl around. When they 

m 1 \Uu \l(/ fall the number of the throw is counted, as herein 

# J fiS mf stated. The implements (fig. 79) are four sticks, 

■ m 12 inches long, flat, and rounded at the ends, 

I lit , , about 1 inch broad and £ thick. Two of them 

/ have figures of snakes burned on one side and two 

the figure of a bear's foot. 
All the sticks are white on the opposite side. 

2 painted or marked sides and 2 white 
counts 2 

All the white sides turned up counts. 10 

3 burnt sides up and 1 white count.. 
(N. B. — Three white sides up and 1 

burnt counts nothing.) 

4 burnt sides up counts 10 





Fig. 79. 
SET OF GAMING STICKS. 

Length, 12 inches. 
Assinahoin Indians, Upper Missouri. 

From a sketch by Edwin T. Denig. 



Each throws in turn against all others, and if 

the whole of the marked sides or all the fair sides 

of the sticks are turned up, she is entitled to a 

successive throw. The game is forty, and they 

count by small sticks as in the preceding. In fine 

weather many of these gambling circles can be seen outside their lodges, spending 

the whole day at it, instead of attending to their household affairs. Some men 

prohibit their wives from gambling, but these take the advantage of their husbands' 




Fig. 80. 

SET OF BONE GAMING STAVES. 

Length, 8.J inches. 
Gros Ventres Indians, Dakota. 

Cat. No. 8425, U.S.N.M. 

absence to play. Most of the women will gamble off everything they possess, even 
to the dresses of their children, and the passion appears to be as deeply rooted in 
them as in the men. They frequently are thrashed by their husband for their losses 
and occasionally have quarrels among themselves as to the results of the game. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



755 



Gros Ventres. Dakota. (Cat. No. 8425, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of tour bone staves made from cores of elk horn, 8j inches in 
length, J-J inch in width in middle, and about -^ inch thick. Tlie outer 






Fig. 81. 

SET OP BONE DICE. 

Lengths, 1A, 1&, and 1 inch. 

Mandan Indians, Fort Jierthold, North Dakota. 

Cat. No. 8427, U.S.N.M. 



rounded face of the bone is marked with lines and dots, filled in with 
faint red paint, as shown in fig-. 80, there being two pairs marked alike. 
Opposite, unmarked and showing texture of bone. Ends rounded. 
Collected by Dr. Washington Matthews, U. S. A. Described as 




Fig. 82. 

BASKET FOB Did I 

Diameter, 7\ inches. 
Mandan Indians, Fort Berthold, North Dakota. 

Cut. No. -I-.:. U.S.N.M. 



women's gambling instruments. Dr. Matthews states in a private 
letter to the writer that these bone staves were not thrown so as to 
rebound, but gently, ends down, on a blanket. 



756 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

low \. 

Catlin ' describes a game among the Iowa UDder the name of Kon-tho- 
gra ("Game of Platter"). 

This is the fascinating game of the women, and exclusively their own, played 
with a number of little blocks of wood the size of a half-crown piece, marked with 
certain points for counting the game, to he decided by throws, as they are shaken 
into a bowl and turned out on a sort of pillow. The bets are made after the bowl 
is turned, and decided by the number of points and colors tinned. 

Mandan. Fort Berthold, North Dakota, (Cat. Xo. 8427, IT.S.N.M.) 

Set of five bone dice with incised designs (tig. 81) tilled in with red 
paint, and basket of woven grass (fig. 82) 7£ inches in diameter at top 
and 3 inches deep. With the dice is a small clay effigy, 1£ inches in 
length, with legs outspread, and with arms and head missing (fig. 83). 
Collected by Dr. Washington Matthews, U. S. A. 
Catlin 2 mentions the game of the platter among the Man dan. 

Omaha. 

Dr. J. Owen Dorsey :! gives the following account under the name of 
"Plum-stone Shooting," ^a^-si kide: 4 

Five plum-stones are provided, three of which are marked on 
one side only with a greater or smaller number of black dots or 
lines and two of them are marked on both sides; they are, how- 
ever, sometimes made of bone of a rounded or flattened form, 
somewhat like an orbicular button-mold, the dots in this case 
being impressed. A w T ide dish and a certain number of small 
sticks by way of counters are also provided. Any number of 
persons may play this game, and agreeably to the number en- 
gaged in it is the quantitv of sticks or counters. The plum- 

T^i (y QO " 

& ' stones or bones are placed in a dish, and a throw is made by 

( la\ fiitich i sel) s j m p]y jolting the vessel against the ground to make the seeds or 

bones rebound, and they are counted as they lie when they fall. 

The party plays around for the first throw. Whoever gains all the 

a ( in i sticks in the course of the game wins the stake. The throws suc- 

Fort Itertliold. _ . , P_ 

North Dakota ceed each other with so much rapidity that w r e vainly endeavor to 

Cat.No.842i u.s.n.m observe their laws of computation, which it was the sole busi- 
ness of an assistant to attend to. The seeds used in this g;ime are 
called \[a" -si ge. Their number varies. Among the Ponka and Omaha only five are 
used, while the Oto play with six. Sometimes four are marked alike, and the fifth 
is black or white (unmarked). Generally three are black on one side and white or 
unmarked on the other, while two have each a star on one side and a moon on the 
other. The players must always be of the same sex and class; that is, men must 
play men, youths with youths, and women with women. There must always be an 
<vcn number of players, not more than two on each side. There are about twenty 




1 Thomas Donaldson, The George Catlin Indian Gallery, Report of the Smith- 
sonian Institution, 1885, p. 152. 

Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of the North Ameri- 
can Indians, London, 1*41, I, p. 132. 

; < )maha Sociology, Third Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 
1884, p. 334. 

'Miss Alice C. Fletcher gives me the name of the game as gkow-thi. Gko» is the 
first syllable of the word gko/i-de, "plum;" thi means seed. The game is described 
by Maj. S. IL Long (Account of an Expedition from Pittsburg to the Rocky Moun- 
tains. I, p. 215) under the name of Kon-se-le-da. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



57 



sticks used as counters. These are made of deska. or of some other graas. The 
seeds are put in a bowl, which is hit against a pillow and not on the bare ground, 
lest it should break the howl. When three seeds show black and two have the 
moon on the upper side it is a winning throw, but when one is white, one black, the 
third black (or white), the fourth showing a moon, and the fifth a star, it is a los- 
ing throw. The game is played for small stakes, such as rings and uecklaa 

Pig. 84 represents a set of plum-stones from the Omaha, collected by 
Miss Alice 0. Fletcher. Two have a star on one side and a crescent 
moon on the other, the device being in white on a burnt ground, and 
three white or plain on one side and black on the other. They were 
accompanied by a hemispherical bowl made of walnut. 12 inches in 
diameter, of perfect form and finish, and about one hundred slips of 
the stalks of the blue joint grass, about 12 inches in length, used as 
counters. 



A 








B 








Fig. 84. 

SET OF PLUM STONES FOB OA.MK. 

(A, obverse; B, reverse.) 

Diameter, J inch. 

Omaha Indians. 

In the possession of Miss Alice C. Fletcher. 

Dakota Sioux. South Dakota. (Cat. No. 1533(35, U.S.KM.) 

Set of seven plum-stones, plain on one side and with marks burnt 
upon the other. Collected by Dr. /. T. Daniel,' who describes the game 
as follows under the name of Kansu : 

This is a very ancient game of the Sioux Indians, played usually by elderly women, 
although yonng women and nun of all ages play it. Kansu is an abbreviation of 
kanta su, which means pi urn -seed. They drop the la and call the game kansu, because 
it is played with plum-seeds. It is used for gambling and amusement and is more 
like our dice than any other of our games. When playing, the seeds are thrown up 
in a basket or howl and the markings on the seeds that are ap or down decide the 
throw. 

The seeds used are those of the wild plum of the Dakotas and indigenous through- 
out the northwest region of the United States generally. They are seven in Dumber. 
On one side they are all perfectly plain and of the natural color, except some line 
marks on four to distinguish them when the burnt side are down, but on the rei i rse 
side of all there are burnt markings. These markings are made bj a piece ol hot 
iron, such as a nail, the Made of a knife, or a piece of hoop iron. Before the nat 
used iron they used a hot stone. Six of the seeds are in pain of three different 
kinds, and only one is of a different marking from all the others. One par is 

1 Kansu, a Sioux game. The American Anthropologist, v. p. 215. 



758 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



scorched entirely on oue side, another pair has an anburnt line about 2 millimeters 
wide traversing their longitudinal convexity (the remainder of their surfaces on 
that side being scorched) ; the remaining pair have one-half of oue side burnt longi- 
tudinally, the other half of the same side unburnt, but traversed by three small 
burnt lines equidistant about 1 millimeter wide running across their short axes. 
The remaining and only single seed has an hourglass figure burnt on one side, the 
contraction in the figure corresponding to the loug diameter of the seed. They are 
all of the same size, about 16 millimeters long, 12 wide, and 7 thick, and are oval, 
having the outlines and convexity on each side of a diminutive turtle shell. When 
the Sioux tirst obtained our ordinary playing cards they gave to them, as well as to 
the game, the name Jcansu, because they were used by the whites and themselves 
for the same purpose as their original Jcansu. The men do not use the seeds or the 
original Jcansu now, but they substitute our cards. The women, however, do use the 
game at the present time. When a ration ticket was issued to them they gave it 
the name of Jcansu, because it was a card; so also to a postal card, business card, or 




Fig. 85. 

BASKET FOR PLUM STONE GAME. 

Diameter at top, 8 inches. 
Dakota Sioux, South Dakota. 

Cat. No. 10443, Museum o£ Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

anything of the description of a card or ticket; a railroad, street-car, milk, store, 
or circus ticket would be called a Jcansu ; so that the evolution of this term as applied 
to a ticket is a little interesting. 

The description of the game Jcansu, as related by the Sioux is as follows: Any 
number of persons may play, and they call the game Jcansu Jcute, which literally 
means "to shoot the seeds." When two persons play, or four that are partners, 
only six of the seeds are used, the hourglass or king Jcansu being eliminated. The 
king is used when a number over two are playing and each one for himself. The 
three-line seeds are called "sixes," the one-line "fours," those that are all black 
"tens." When two play for a wager they each put sixteen small sticks, stones, 
corn, peas, or what not into a common pile between them, making in all thirty-two. 
'fin- play begins by putting the seeds into a small bowl or basket and giving it a 
quick upward motion, which changes the positions of the seeds, then letting them 
fall back into the receptacle, care being taken not to let any one fall out. The 
markings that are up decide the throw, precisely on the principle of our dice. As 
they conn I, they take from the pile of thirty-two what they make, and when the pile 
is exhausted the one having the greatest number wins the game. If all the white 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 12. 



o 
> 



CD 

2 

> co 

2 O 

- c 

- X 

l -o 

- r 
x c 



■J. CD 

-. H 

O 



CD 

> 



fc*J 








Wk 





O 




_ Ml - ■■„,.. 












■^fcfe»*^ 



o 




v 



■ 







1^ v* ♦ 





t» 




c c 




/ 




-* 



>* 



# l>5h 







CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



?:>9 



sides are up, the throw counts sixteen. The two "tens' 1 up and four whites count six- 
teen. Two pairs up count six. ami the player takes another throw. Two " sixes" 
down count four. If both "tens" are down, either side symmetrically, it counts 
ten. If all burnt sides are up, it is sixteen. If both "fours" are down, it is -ix. 

It two pairs are up, it counts two. (hie pair up does not count unless all the ol 
are down. When more than two play, and each for himself, the "king" is intro- 
duced. If the king is up and all the others down, the count is sixteen. If they are 
all up. the count is the same. If two pairs are up, the count i- six. If the king is 
down and the remainder up, the count is sixteen. 

(Brule Dakota) Sioux. South Dakota. (Cat. Nos. 10442, 10443, 
165.*i2, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn.) 
Plum-stone dice for game (eleven, apparently belonging to two sets). 
Basket in which dice are thrown, made of woven grass, 8 inches in 
diameter at top and 2| inches deep, with bottom covered with cotton 
cloth (tig. So). Set of thirty-two sticks used in counting with above 




Fig. 86. 

COUNTING STICKS FOB PLUM STONE GAMK. 

Lengths, 13, 12, and 7 inches. 

Dakota Sioux, South Dakota. 

Cat. No. 16558, Museum of Archaeology, University <>f Pennsylvania. 

(fig. 86), consisting of eleven rounded white sticks about !•"> inches in 
length, fourteen similar black sticks (made of ribs of an old umbre 
about 12 inches in length, and seven iron sticks about 11 inches in 
length (consisting of iron ribs of the umbrella . Collected by Mr. 
Horatio X. Rust in 1873. 

Comparison Of the various accounts of the plum stone game as played 
by the Sioux shows many variations in the markings <m the Beeds. 
This is well illustrated in the account given by Schoolcraft, who 
describes the game among the Dakota tribes under the name of h'mi- 
tah-so, which he translate- as "the game of the plum Stones." 
He tigures five sets of stones, each consisting of eight p 
In set A (Plate li' \ Nos. l and i' represent Bparrow ha* ks w ith forked toils, or the 
fork-tailed eagle, Faleo fitrcatus. This is the so-called war eagle. x ".1 1 are 



1 Iulbrmation concerning the History, Condition, and Pros] the Indian 

Tribes of the United States, Philadelphia, 1853, II. p. 72 



760 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

the turtle, which typifies generally the earth. If 1 and 2 fall upwards, the game is 
won. If hut or.e of these figures fall upwards and at the same time 3 and 4 are 
ii]). the game i> also won. The other numbers, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are all blanks. B 
denotes the reversed sides of A, which are all blanks. 

Set C shows different characteristics, with a single chief figure (5), which repre- 
sent- the Falco fttrcatits. This throw indicates half a game, and entitles the thrower 
to repeat it. If the same figure (5) turns up, the game is won. If no success attends 
it by throwing up the chief figure, the throw passes to other hands. J> is the 
reverse of (' and is a blank throw. 

In set E, No. 5 represents a niuskrat. The three dots (7) indicates two-thirds of a 
throw, and the thrower can throw again; but if he gets blank the second time, the 
dish passes on to the next thrower. Set F is invested with different powers. No. 1 
represents a buffalo, and 2 and 3 denote chicken hawks, fluttering horizontally in 
the air. Tho chief pieces (5, 6, and 7) have the same powers and modifications as A. 

To play this game, a little orifice is made in the ground and a skin put in it. 
Often it is also played on a robe. The women and young men play this game. The 
bowl is lifted with one hand about 3 or 4 inches and suddenly pushed down to its 
place. The plum-stones fly over several times. The stake is first put up by all who 
wish to play. A dozen can play at once, if it be desirable. 

Dr. H. C. Yarrow 1 refers to the plum stone game, in his paper on In- 
dian mortuary customs, as described to him by Dr. Charles E. McChes- 
ney, U. S. A., among the Wahpeton and Sisseton (Dakota) Sioux. 

Alter the death of a wealthy Indian the near relatives take charge of the effects, 
and at a stated time, usually at the time of the first feast held over the bundle con- 
taining the lock of hair, they are divided into many small piles, so as to give all 
the Indians invited to play an opportunity to win something. One Indian is selected 
to represent the ghost, and he plays against all the others, who are not required to 
stake anything on the result, but simply invited to take part in the ceremony, which 
is usually held in the lodge of the dead person, in which is contained the bundle 
containing tho lock of hair. In cases where the ghost himself is not wealthy the 
stakes are furnished by his rich friends, should ha have any. The players are called 
in one at a time, and play singly against the ghost's representative, the gambling 
being done in recent years by means of cards. If the invited player succeeds in 
beating the ghost, he takes one of the piles of goods and passes out, when another 
is invited to play, etc., until all the piles of goods are won. In cases of men, only 
the men play, and in cases of women, the women only take part in the ceremony. 
Before white men came among these Indians and taught them many of his improved 
vices, this game was played by means of figured plum seeds, the men using eight 
and the women seven seeds, figured as follows and as shown in plate 13. Two seeds 
are simply blackened on one side (AA), the reverse (aa) containing nothing. Two 
seeds are black on one side, with a small spot of the color of the seed left, in the 
(enter (BB), the reverse side (bb) having a black spot in the center, the body being 
plain. Two seeds have a buffalo's head on one side (C) and the reverse (c) simply 
two crossed black lines. There is but one seed of this kind in the set used by 
women. Two seeds have the half of one side blackened and the rest left plain, so 
as to represent a half moon (DD); the reverse (dd) has a black longitudinal line 
crossed at right angles by six small ones. There are six throws whereby the player 
can win, and five that entitle him to another throw. The winning throws are as 
follows, each winner taking a pile of the ghost's goods: 

Two plain ones up, two plain with black spots up, buffalo's head up, and two half 
moons up wins a pile. Two plain black ones up, two blaek with natural spot up, 
two longitudinally crossed ones up, and the transversely crossed one up wins a pile. 

1 Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians, First Annual Report of the 
Bureau of Ethnology, Washington, 1881, p. 195. 



Repoit of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 13. 
















Figured Plum Stones for Games. 

Dakota Sioux. 
After Yarrow. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



7G1 



Two plain black ones up, two black with natural spots up, two half moons up, and 
the transversely cross one up wins a pile. Two plain black ones, two black with 
natural spot up, two half moons up, and the buffalo's head up wins ;i pile. Two 
plain ones np, two with black spots up, two longitudinally crossed ones up, and the 
transversely crossed one up wins a pile. Two plain ones up. two with black spots 
np, bnffalo's head up, and two long crossed up wins a pile. 

The following auxiliary throws entitle to another chance to win : Two plain ones 
np, two with black spots up, one half moon up, one longitudinally crossed one up. 
and buffalo's head up gives another throw, and on this throw, if the two plain one- 
up and two with black spots with either of the half moon or buffalo's head np, 
the player takes the pile. Two plain ones np, two with black spots up, two half 
moons up, and the transversely crossed one up entitles to another throw, when, if 
all the black sides come up excepting one, the throw wins. One of the plain ones 
np and all the rest with black sides up gives another throw, and the same then 
turning up wins. One of the plain black ones up w ith that side np of all tin- 
others having the least black in them gives another throw, when the same tnrning 












Fig. 87 

PLUM STONES FOR GAME. 

(A, obverse; B, reverse.) 

Diameter, about h inch. 

Yankton Sioux. 
Cat. Nob. 28666, 23667, U.S.N.M. 




up again wins. One half moon up with that side up of all the others having tin- 
least black on gives another throw, and if the throw is then duplicated it wins. 
The eighth seed, used by men, has its place in their game whenever its facings are 

mentioned above. 

The permutations of the winning throws may be seen in the follow- 
ing table: 



aa 


bb 


C 


DD 


AA 


BB 


c 


dd 


AA 


BB 


c 


DD 


AA 


BB 


C 


]>l> 


a a 


bb 


c 


dd 


aa 


bb 


C 


dd 



Yankton Sioux. Cat. Nos. 23556, 23557, l.s.N .M. 

Six plum stone dice, part of two sets of four each fig. 87 . The 
designs are burnt, and two, the fourth and fifth, liave perforations on 
both sides. Collected by Mr. Paul Beck with in 1876. 

The two dice to the left (fig. <S7) beat- a buffalo's head on one side and 
a pipe or calumet on the reverse. The die on the right has an eagle or 
thunder bird, with the lightning symbol on the reverse. 



762 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



TANOAN STOCK. 

Tewa. Santa Clara. New Mexico. Oat. No. 176707, U.S.N.M 

Set of three blocks of wood, 5 J inches in length, 1 inch in breadth, 
and | inch in thickness (fig. 88). Flat and painted red on one side; 
opposite rounded and painted reddish brown. One stick has fifteen 
transverse notches painted green on the rounded side. The notches 
are divided by an incised cross painted yellow. 1 







Piff. 88. 
BLOCKS FOR GAME OF TUGI-E PFE. 

Length, 5£ inches. 

Tewa Indians, Santa Clara, New Mexico. 

Cat. No. 176707, U.S.N.M. 



The following account of the game, from an unpublished manuscript 



Another Bet, collected by Mr. T. S. Dozier, in the Museum of Archaeology of the 
University of Pennsylvania (Cat. No. 20153), has the notches painted green, red, 
yellow, and hlue and the cross re<l. These marks appear to imitate wrappings of 
cord of different colors, probably the wrappings of the atlatl. 



CHESS AND PLAYINC.-CARDS. 763 

by the collector, was kindly placed in my hands by Mr. F. Webb Hodge, 
of the Bureau of American Ethnology: 

Grains of coin or pebbles aro laid in the form of a square, in sections of ten each. 
Tbe two players sit on either side. The sticks, called e-pfe, are thrown in turn on ;i 
stone placed in the square. The counts are as follows: 

2 flat and notched stick notches np = 15 "» 

3 round sides up = 10 
3 flat sides op =5 
2 flat and 1 Tound side not notched up = 3 
1 flat and 2 round sides not notched up = 1 

The players move their markers between the grains or pebbles according to their 
throw, going in opposite directions. The one first returning to the starting point 
wins. This is the ordinary way. Sometimes, the markers being considered as horses, 
a player will attempt to kill his adversary's horses. In this ease he so announces at 
the commencement of the game, and he then moves his marker in the same direction, 
and, by duplicating the first throw, or, if at any future stage of the game, always 
following, he succeeds in placing his marker where his adversary's is, by so doing 
he kills that horse (marker) and sends him back to the place of beginning. The 
latter may then elect to move in the same direction as before, and kill and send back 
his adversary, but, if he wishes, he may go in the opposite direction, in which case 
he does no killing. The game is called Tiuji-e-pfe, meaning "the thrown stick" 
(tugi "to throw"). 

Mr. Dozier states that the stick with fifteen notches gives rise to the 
Mexican name of Quince (Mi teen), which is sometimes given its Tewa 
equivalent Tadi-pwano-pfe, and Juego de Pastor (Shepherd's game). 

Tewa. Isleta, New Mexico. 

Mr. Charles F. Lummis 1 gives the following account of the game in 
Isleta: 

The boys gather forty smooth stones the size of the list, and arrange them in a 
circle about 3 feet in diameter. Between every tenth and eleventh stone is a gate 
of 4 or 5 inches. These gates are called p'dy-hlah (rivers). In the center of the 
circle, pa-tol ndht-hek — "pa-tol house," is placed a large cobblestone, smooth and 
approximately flat on top, called hyee-oh-tee-dy. There is your pa-tul ground. 

The pa-tol sticks, which are the most important part of the paraphernalia, are 
three in number. Sometimes they are made by splitting from dry branches, and 
sometimes by whittling from a solid block. The chief essential is that the \\ < Oil be 
firm and hard. The sticks are 4 to 5 inches long, about an inch wide, and a qnarter 
of an inch thick, and must have their sides flat, so that the three may be clasped 
together very much as one holds a pen, but more nearly perpendicular, with the 
thumb and first three fingers of the right hand. Each stick is plain on one side 
and marked on the other, generally with diagonal notches, as Bhown in fig. v I. 

The only other requisite is a hah-nid-deh (horse) for each player, of whom there 
may be as many as can seat themselves around the pa-tol house. The "horse" 
is merely a twig or stick, used as a marker. When the players have seated them- 
selves, the first takes the pa-tol sticks tightly in his right band, lifts them about 
as high as his chin, and, bringing them down with a smart vertical thrust, Bfl if to 
harpoon the center stone, lets go of them when tliey are within Borne <; inches <>f it. 
The three sticks strike the stone as one, hitting on their ends squarely, and. rebound- 
ing several inches, fall back into the circle. The manner in which the\ fall 



A New Old Game, in A New Mexico David, New York, 1891, p. L83. 



7<»'4 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



N 



\ 
\ 

\ 
\ 


2 

\ 

\ 



decides the "denomination" of the throw, and the different values are shown in 
6g. S!». Although at first flush this might seem to make it a game of chance, noth- 
ing could l>e farther from the truth. Indeed, no really aboriginal game is a true 
game of chance; the invention of that dangerous and delusive plaything was reserved 
for civilized ingenuity. 

An expert pa-tol player will throw the number he desires 
with almost unfailing certainty hy his arrangement of the 
sticks in his hand and the manner and force with which he 
strikes them down. It is a dexterity which any one may acquire 
by sufficient practice, and only tbus. The five-throw is deemed 
very much the hardest of all, and I have certainly found it so. 
According to the number of his throw the player moves his 
marker an equal number of stones ahead on the circle, using 
one of the "rivers'' as a starting point. If the throw is five, 
for instance, he lays his "horse"' between the fourth and fifth 
stones, and hands the pa-tol sticks to the next man. If his 
\ \ \ throw be ten, however, as the first man's first throw is very cer- 

tain to be, it lands his horse in the second "river," and be has 
another throw. The second man may make his starting point 
the same or another "river," and may elect to run his "horse" 
around the circle in the same direction that the first is going or 
in the opposite. If in the same direction, he will do bis best to 
make a throw which will bring bis "horse" into the same 
notch as that of the first man, in which case the first man i3 
" killed, "' and has to take his "horse" back to the starting 
point to try over again when he gets auother turn. In case the 
second man starts in the opposite direction — which he will not 
do unless an expert player — he has to calculate with a good deal 
of skill for the meeting, "to kill" and to avoid being "killed" 
by No. 1. When he starts in the same direction as No. 1, he is behind, and runs no 
chance of heing "killed," while he has just as good a chance to kill. But if, even 
then, a high throw carries him ahead of the first man — for 
"jumping" does not count either way, the only "killing" 
being when two " horses " come iu the same notch — his rear is in 
danger, and he will try to run on out of the way of his pursuer 
as fast as possible. The more players the more complicated 
the game, for each "horse" is threatened alike by foes that 
chase from behind and charge from before, and the most skillful 
player is liahle to be sent back to the starting point several 
times before the game is finished, which is as soon as one 
"horse" has made the complete circuit. Sometimes the 
players, when very young or unskilled, agree there shall be 
no "killing:" but unless there is an explicit arrangement to 
that effect, "killing" is understood, and it adds greatly to the 
interest of the game. 

There i> also another variation of the game, a rare one, how- 
ever. In case the players agree to throw fifteens, all the pa-tol 
sticks arc made the same, except that one has an extra notch 
to distinguish it from the others. Then the throws are as 
shown in ftor. <i(). 




Fig. 89. 

COUNTS IX PA-TOL. 
From Lummis. 



n 



j 



N 



Nr\L 



Fig. 90. 

COUNTS IN PA-TOL. 
From Lummis. 



In reply to a letter of inquiry, Mr. Lummis writes 
me that he distinctly remembers having witnessed this game at Isleta, 
Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Tesuque, and Taos (Tewan); at Acoma, 
Ti tsi-a-ma, and Canada Cruz (Acoma colonies), Cochitf*, Laguna, El 
Rite, Sandia, and San Felipe (Keresan), and Zulu. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



7S5 



I feel quite confident I saw it also in San Juan (Tewan), though of thai I would 
not be positive. I can not remember seeing the game played in .Jem./, Picuris, and 
Pojoaqne (Tewan); in Sia (Keresan) or any of the Moqni Pnebloa except Tehua 
(which of course is a village of migration from the Rio Grande). In Naml..- | Tewan) 
I never saw it, I am sure. 









Pig. 91. 

STAVES AND MARKING STICKS USED IN THE OAMB 09 04 SB BJ U'\\\ 

Lengths, t ; and t\ inches 

Tewa Indiiins, Taos, New Rffeodoo. 

' '■"■ v ■ ■ M m n I brchaology, University of Poanqrlvaafe. 

Tewa. Taos, New Mexico. (Cat. Xo. 20123, Bios. Arch.. Univ. Penn.) 
Set of three sticks, 4J inches in length, | inch broad, and ,'„ incb thick 

(fig. 91.) One side round with bark and the other flat. One ..ft lie -ticks 
has eight transverse cuts on the bark side, as shown in the figure, with 



76<; 



KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



the opposite flat side smeared with red paint. Also two twigs, 4J inches 
in length, with sharpened ends, one having two nicks cut near one end 

WEST 



oO oo°»0oo, . o 



B 



> o. 



CO 



Q 



OB 



K M 

EAST 

Fig. 92. 

CIRCUIT FOR GAME OF CA-SE-HE-A-PA-NA. 

Tewa Indians, Taos, Xew Mexico. 

From a sketch by Dr. T. P. Martin. 

to distinguish it. Employed in the game of Ca-se-he-a-pa-na (Spanish, 
Pastore), of which the collector, Dr. T. P. Martin, of Taos, has furnished 
the following account : 

A circle, from 2 to 3 feet in diameter (fig. 92), is marked on the 
ground with small stones. One hundred and sixty stones are 
used, with larger ones at each quarter, dividing the circle into 
four quarters of forty stones each. A line AB is marked out 
as a " river," and is usually marked from east to west: The 
line CD is designated as a ''trail." A large stone is placed in 
the center. 

There are two players, each of whom takes one of the little 
twigs, which are known as "horses." A player takes the three 
stones, holds them together, and drops them vertically upon the 
large stone. He counts according to their fall, and moves his 
horse as many places around the circuit. They throw and move 
in turn, going in opposite directions, one starting from K and 
the other from M. If M passes point B before K reaches it, and 
meets K's horse anywhere around the circle, K's liorse is said to 
killed," and hns to go hack to A and start over again, and rice versa. A chief 




Fig. 9:5. 

W ODK.V 1)1 K. 

Kwakinti Indiana, 
British Columbia. 

Field Colombian Museum, 
Chicago, f After Boas.) 



be 



point in the game is to reach B before the other player, so as to kill him on the 
second half of the circle. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



767 



The counts are as follows: 

2 flat and notched stick notches up = 15 

3 round sides up = 10 
:> flat sides up = 5 
2 flat and 1 round side not notched up = 1 
1 flat and 2 rouud sides not notched up = 1 

This game is usually played all night on the night of November 3d of each year. 
November 3d is known as "The Day of the Dead," and this game seems in some way 
to be connected with it, or rather with its celebration, but I can not find out any 
tradition connecting the two. 

WAKASHAN STOCK. 

Kwakiutl. British Columbia. 

Dr. Franz Boas 1 describes these Indians as using wooden dice 
(fig. 03) in a game called Eibayu. "The casts count according to the 
narrowness of the sides.'' The dice collected by him are in the Field 
Columbian Museum. 




BEAVER TEETH DICE. 

Length, 2 1o 2£ inches. 

Makah Indians, Neah Bay, Washington. 

Cat. No. 33851, (J.S.N.M. 

MAKAH. Neah Bay, Washington. (Cat. No. 23351, I'.s.X.M.) 

Seven beaver teeth, probably part of two or more sets. Two — right 
and left— apparently From the same animal arc similarly marked on the 
flat side with chevron pattern (fig. 94 AB). Two. also apparently 
from the same animal, marked with circles and dots (fig. 94 CD). Two 
teeth — right and left — are marked with three chevrons, and one odd 
tooth has ten circles. Collected by Mr. J. (i. Swan. 
The following account of the game is given by the collector: 

Four teeth aroused; one side of each 1ms marks and the other is plain. It' all 

four marked sides come up. or all tour plain sides, the throws form a double : it' t wo 
marked and two plain ones come np. it is a single: uneven numbers lose. 



'Sixth Report on the Indians of British Columbia, i». 10. 

2 The Indians of Cape Flattery, Smithsonian ( Contributions to Know Ledge, 220,p. II. 



7G8 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1*96. 



Be also states this game is usually played by the women, and that 
the beaver teeth are shaken in the hand and thrown down. 1 



YUMAN STOCK. 

( IOCOPA. (Cat. No. 76105, (LSJOL) 

Set of four sticks of willow 2 wood, 8 inches long, about 1£ inches 
broad, and J inch thick (fig. 95). Flat on one side, which is uniformly 
marked lengthwise in the center with a baud of red paint about .} inch 
in width. Opposite, rounded and unpainted. Collected by Mr. Edward 
Palmer. 




Fig. 95. 

SET OF STAVES FOR GAJIE. 

Length, 8 inches. 

Cocopa Indians. 

Cat. No. 76165, D.S.N.H. 

Havasupat. Arizona. 

Mr. G. Wharton James has furnished the writer with the following 
account: 

Squatted around a circle of small stones, the circle having an opening at a certain 
portion of its circumference called the yam-se-kyalb-ye-la, and a large flat stone in 
the centre called tau-be-clie-ka, the Havasupai play the game called Hite-ta-qiiee-dte- 
l.a. Any number of players can engage in the game. 

flic players are chosen into sides. The first player begins the game by holding 
in his hand three pieces of short stick, white on one side and red on the other. 
These sticks are called iohbe-ya, and take the place of our dice. They are Hung 
rapidly upon the central stone, tad-be- che-ka, and as they fall counts are made as 
follows : 

X whites up = 10 

2 whites, 1 red up = 2 

2 reds, 1 white np= 3 

3 reds — 5 



The Northwest Coast, or Three Years' Residence in Washington Territory, New 
York. ls.VT, p. 158. 
Salix amygdaloides. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



G9 






Fig. 90. 

SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME. 

Lengili, Ci inches. 

Mohave Indians. Arizona. 

Cat. No. : 34, D.S.N.M. 





Fig. VI. 

i: QAMI . 

Length, 6 inches. 
Mohave Indians, Bonthern California. 





NAT Ml T s ( .lt'» 



-III 



70 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



rallies are kept by placing short sticks between the stones, hue, that compose the 

circle, one side counting in one direction from the opening and the other keeping 
tally in the opposite direction. 

Mohave. Arizona. (Cat. No. 10334, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four blocks of willow 1 wood, 6J inches in length, 2 inches in 
width, and .', inch in thickness. Section ellipsoidal. One side painted 
red with designs as shown in tig. 9G, and opposite, unpainted. Described 
as used by women. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 

Mohave. Southern California. (Cat. Xo. 24166, U.S.X.M.) 

Set of four blocks of willow 1 wood, 6 inches in length, 14 inches in 
width, and § inch in thickness. One side flat and painted brown with 



» v: 



*:«s 




— ^> 



Fig. 08. 
GAMING STICKS. 

Length, 5f inches. 
Mohave Indians, Arizona. 

Cat. No. 10090, Peabody Museum of American Archaeology. 



designs (fig. 97) similar to those on the preceding; opposite, rounded 
and unpainted. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 

MOHAVE. Arizona? (Cat. Xo. 10090, Peabody Museum.) 

Set of four gambling sticks, 5f inches in leugth and 1£ inches in 
width. Marked on one face with designs as shown in fig. 98; opposite 
sides plain. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 

MOHAVE. Arizona? (Cat. ^No. 10090, Peabody Museum.) 

Set of four gambling sticks, 3£ to 3f inches in length and \^ inch in 
width. Marked on one face with red and black designs; opposite 
plain. Collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. 



l Salix amygclaloides. 



CHESS AND PLAVING-CAKDS. 



771 



ZUNIAN STOCK. 

Zuni. New Mexico. (Oat. No. 69285, CT.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of larch wood, 3J inches in length, 1 inch in 
breadth, and 3^ inches in thickness {tig. 9 ( J). Section rectangular. One 
side painted red, opposite unpainted. 

ZUNI. New Mexico. (Cat. No. G!K)04, CT.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of piiion wood (one missing), 3J inclies in length, 
1£ inches in breadth, and ^ inch in thickness. One side flat and black- 
ened; opposite roughly rounded and unpainted. Ends cut straight 
across and painted black. 





Fig. 99. 

SET OF BLOCKS FOR (i.V.ME OF TA'-SHO'-LI-WE. 

Length, 3$ indies. 

Zuiii Indians, New Mexioo. 

Cat. No. 69885, I .-.VM. 

Ztjni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 60355, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks rudely shaped from piiion wood, 5J inches in 
length, {inch in breadth, and about \ inch in thickness. Section rect- 
angular, with both sides flat; one painted black, opposite plain. 
Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69352, CT.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of piiion wood, 5jj inclies in length. 1 J inches in 
breadth, and about j inch in thickness. One side flat and painted 
black; opposite rounded and painted red. 
Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69284, U.S.N.M. 

Set of three sticks of piiion wood, 5j inches in length, j inch in 
breadth, and about yVr inch in thickness. Slightly rounded on both 
sides, one being painted black and the other red. 



772 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



ZUNI. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69354, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of pifion wood, 5J inches in length, about 1} inches 
in breadth, and -fa inch in thickness. Painted black on one side; oppo- 
site unpainted. Corresponding ends on one side cut straight across, 
and opposite with one corner rounded. 

ZUNI. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69340, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of pine wood, 6 inches in length, l-fa inches in 
breadth, and -fe inch in thickness. Section rectangular. One side 
marked with triangles of red and black paint; opposite unpainted. 



f 



31 



-*•• 



Fig. 100. 
SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME OF TA'-SHO'-LI-WE. 

Length, 4 inches. 
Zuni Indians, New Mexico. 

Cat. No. 69287, U.S.N.M. 



Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69287, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of white pine, 4 inches in length, § inch in breadth, 
and -fa inch in thickness (fig. 100). One face fiat with triangles painted 
red and black and outlined by incised lines. Opposite rounded and 
unpainted. 

Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69281, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of three sticks of yellow pine, 5£ inches in length, 1 inch, in 
breadth, and | inch in thickness (fig. J 01). One face fiat and unpainted; 
opposite rounded and painted red and black in triangular designs, the 
triangles on one side being red with a black inner triangle and vice 
versa. The outline of the larger triangles is deeply incised. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



773 



Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. No. (iiM)()3, U.S.X.M.) 

Set of three sticks of basswood' 4g inches in length, li; inch in 
breadth, and ft inch in thickness (fig-. 102). Flat and painted light red 
on one side; opposite rounded and painted in triangular designs in red 
and black, the pattern being double that on the preceding: Cat. Nos. 
69340, 69287, aud 09281. 




Fig. 101. 

SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME OF TA'-SHO'-LI-WE. 

Length, 5J inches. 
Zuni. Xew Mexico. 

Cat. No. 69281, U.S.N.M. 

The preceding Zufiian staves were collected by Col. James Steven- 
son. They were all used, as I am informed, by Mr. Cusbing, for the 
game of Ta'sho'-li-we, or "wooden canes 7 ' (one of the seven sacred 
games of Zuni), which he described to me as follows: 

Ta -slto'-H-ue- is played according to the throws of three wooden blocks, painted red 
on one Bide and black upon the other, around a circle of stones placed upon the sand. 
Two or four players engage, using two or four splints as markers, and advancing, 
according to their throws around the circle which is divided int<» forty parts bj 

'Deal boards, imported into Zuni. 

2 Ta'-sho -li-xoe was described by John < '. < twens I " Some < lames of tlie Zuni " in the 
Popular Science Monthly for May, L891. 1 1 « ■ gives the name <>t* the central nton< 



774 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1>96. 



pebbles or fragments of pottery, and has four openings called "doorways" at its 
four quarters. At the commencement of the game tour colored splints are arranged 
at these points: at the top (North) a yellow splint; at the left (West) a blue; at 
the bottom (South) a red, and at the right (East) a white splint. The blocks are 
tossed ends down on a disk of sandstone placed in the middle of the circle, and the 
counts are as follows: 

3 red sides up =10 

3 black sides up = 5 

2 red and one black = 3 

2 black and one red = 2 
A count often gives another throw. When four play, the straws of the North and 
West move around from right to left, and those of the South aud East from left to 
right. When a player's move terminates at a division of the circle occupied by an 






Fig. 102. 

SET OF BLOCKS FOR GAME OF TA'-SHO'-LI-WE. 
Length, 4| inches. 
Zulu, Isew Mexico. 
Cat. No. 69003, O.S.N.M. 

adversary's straw, he takes it up and sends it back to the begiuning. It is custom- 
ary to make the circuit of the stones four times, beans or corn of different colors 
being used to count the number of times a player has gone around. The colors on 
the wooden blocks or dice symbolize the two conditions of men: 

Red, light or wakefulness; 

Black, darkness or sleep. 

The splints have the following symbolism: 

At top, yellow, north, air, Winter; 



a-rey-le;/ and the dice ia-mey. For counting, each player has a horse or louche. "The 
horse is supposed to drink at the intervals between the groups of stones. Ouegame 
which I witnessed had loaded ri lie cartridges for stakes. Each player placed his 
bet within the circle." 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



775 



At left, blue, west, water, Spring; 
At bottom, red, south, fire. Summer; 
At right, white, east, earth. Autumn. 
The following is a vocabulary of the game: 
Blocks: Ta'-sho'-U'-tve; literally, "Of wood canes." 
Splints: 77- toe. 

Circle of stones: tie tchi na kya a tee; literally, " From one to another succeeding." 
Doorway: A wen a a te fctw a; literally, " Doorway, all directions of." 
Beans used as counters: A-u-i yah na-kya no-we; literally, "For keeping count 
beans." 





BLACK 



SPECKLED 



white: 



ALL 
COLORED 



RED 



BLUE 



YELLOW 



Fig. 103. 

SET OP BLOCKS FOR GAME OF TEM-THLA-NAH-TA'-SHO'-U'-WE. 

Length, 4 inches. 

Zuni Indians, New Mexi< <>. 

Cat. No, 16531, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

From the name of this game, fa'-sho'-li-we, or "wood-canes" I wnod-cane game 
origin may be referred to the Zunian game of Sho'-li-we or "canes," the actual canes 

of which arc replaced with wood in Ta -sho -H->r< . 

Mr. Gushing informs me that a basket game, similar to that described 
as existing among the Arapaho, Cheyenne, Sioux, etc., is also played 
in Zuni under the name of Thathl pa-Ui-we, or '-Tablet bounce basket 
game." 
Zuni. New Mexico. (Cat. Xo. 16631, Mus. Arch., Oniv. Penn.) 

Reproductions' of set of three blocks, originals of pinon wood. J 
inches in length, 1£ inches in breadth, and ft inch in thickness (fig. 103 . 




Made by Mr. ( lushing. 



776 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Rectangular in section. One side uniformly painted white and opposite 
with transverse bands of color separated by black lines of paint, in the 
following order: Yellow, blue, red, variegated, white, speckled, and 
black. 1 

Mr. Cashing informs me that these blocks are used in a divinitory 
forra of Ta'-sho'-U-we^ called Tem-thld-nah na-ta'-slio'-li-we, "of all the 
regions wood-canes." 

r lhis game is employed in name divination and prognostication of an individual, 
usually of a youth, the colors being noted for the purpose of determining the rank 
and name significant thereof of the one for whom the diviuation is made. 




Fig. 104. 

HIDE USED AS GAMING BOAED IN TEM-THLA-NAH-TA'-SHO'-LI-WE. 

Zuni Indians, New Mexico. 

Sketch by Mr. Frank Hamilton Custring. 

In this game the counting grains are named for: 
North: Thlup tsi Jcwa Jcwe, '-Yellow medicine seed people." 
West: Thli a Jcwa Jcwc, "Blue medicine seed people.*' 
South: Shi lo a Jcwa lace, "Bed medicine seed people." 
East: K6 ha Jcwa Jcwe, "White medicine seed people." 
Upper region : Kit tsu a Jcwa Jcwe, "Variegated medicine seed people." 
Lower region: Kwi na Jcwa lave, "Black medicine seed people." 
Middle or all-containing region: / to pa nah na Jcwa Jcwe, "Of all 
colors medicine seed people." 



1 For the significance of these colors in Zuni see note, p. 679. The stick with notches 
(fig. 88), used in the Tewan game, suggests the probability that these painted sticks 
replaced others wrapped with colored thread or fabric. Compare with the ancient 
Chinese scepter (iig. 126; banded with live colors by being wrapped with colored 
cords. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



777 



7a 5,1. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 20031, Mus. Arcli.. Univ. Penn. 

Set of four sticks, 5J inches in length, in two pairs, each of which 
consists of a length of reed split in the middle. The inner sides of the 




Fig. 105. 

SET OF SACRIFICIAL CANES FOR SHO'-I.I-WE. 

(lieverse.) 

Cat. >"". 20031, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

reed are painted as shown in fig. 105, and the opposite rounded sides 
scratched with transverse lines and burned, as shown in fig. 106. 

These were employed, according to Mr. Gushing, in the game of 




_ — __ . -„_, j--i- 




Fig IOC 

SET OF SACRIFICIAL I \X\ - FOB SHO'-LI-WE. 

(Oli\ ii- 
I t nulli. ."> inches. 
Ziifii Indians. New Mexico. 
Cat. No. 1)31, Museum of Arclueology, University of Pennsylvania. 

Sho'-li-we, or u canes." one of the four games 1 which are sacrificed t<> 

1 In addition to Sko -H->ce there were Hdpochiwe, shuttlecock ; fyankolotowawe, hid- 
den ball, and Mdtikuawe, kicked stick. All were used in divination. Compare with 

the four Sia games described on p. 730. 



778 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



the twin war gods Ahaiyuta and Matsailema. These particular canes 
were not made to play with, but for the purpose of sacrifice. 

ZUNI. New Mexico. (Gat. Xo. (>92S9, U.SJST.M.) 
Two sets, each of four sticks, one of 7| inches and the other 7 inches 




*==*= 



Fig. 107. 
SET OF SACRIFICAL CANES FOR SHO'-LI-WE. 

(Obverse.) 
Zuui Indians, New Mexico. 

Cat. No. 69289, U.S.N.M. 



in length. Made in pairs, like the preceding, of split reed. The inner 
sides of the reed are painted like the preceding. The outer sides of 
the longer set are unmarked, while those of the shorter set are marked, 
as shown in fig. 107. 



^S 





Fig. 108. 
SET OF CANES FOR GAME OF SHO'-LI-WE. 

(Obverse.) 

Length, 6£ inches. 

ZuSi Indians, New Mexico. 

Cat. No. 69277, U.S.N.M. 



Mr. Gushing informs me that these two sets were used together, also 
for sacrificial purposes, the longer one being offered to Ahaiyuta and 
the shorter to Matsailema. 1 



1 Matsailema is somewhat shorter in statue than his twin brother, and all of his 
things arc; made somewhat shorter. He always wears a shorter war club and shorter 
bow. (Gushing.) 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culia 



Plate 14 




CHESS AND PLAVING-CARDS. 



77!) 



Zvm. New Mexico. (Cat. No. 00277, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks, (>.] inches in length and J inch in width, made of 
split cane. The inner sides painted like the preceding, and the rounded 
sides scratched with cross marks, as shown in tig. 108. Collected by 
Col. James Stevenson. 

ZUNL New Mexico. (Cat. No. 69278, U.S.N.M.) 

Set of four sticks, G inches in length and \ in inch width, made of 
split cane. The inner sides painted like the preceding, and the ronnded 
sides marked with cuts, as shown in fig. 109. This set, with the one pre- 
ceding, was intended for actual use, and is made of heavy cane, with 






mL 





m 



i 4 -J 








Fig. 109. 

SKT OF CANES FOR SMO'-LI-WE. 

(Obverse.) 

Length, 6 inches. 
Zulu Indiana, New Mexico. 
Cat. No. 69278, D.S.N.M. 

the inside charred at the edges, and unlike the sacrificial sets, which 
consist of common marsh reed. Mr. Cashing has kindly placed in my 
hands the following hitherto unpublished account of Sho'-li-we: ' 

The game of Sho'-li-we is certainly the most distinctive of any practiced by the 
Znfii Indians. It is not confined to tbem, but forms of it are found among all the 



1 Mr. Owens described Sho'-li-we in tbe paper referred to in a preceding note 
(p. 773). Tbe names of tbe four sticks he gives as follows: The one whose concave 
side is entirely black, quin, the Zuni for black ; the one with one black end. path-id; 
with two black ends, ko-ha-kwa; and the one with a black center, ath-lu-a. He 
figures two of the reeds, and the manner of holding the sticks, which he describes 
as thrown with tbe right hand against a suspended blanket and allowed to fall on 
another blanket. "Two of the pieces belong to each man and arc companions. There 
is a pool with twelve markers, and lie who wins the markers wins the game. The 
winner takes the twelve markers up into his hands and breathes on them. This is 
because they have been good to him and allowed him to win. It is wholly a game 
of chance, and horses, guns, saddles, and everything are staked upon the throw. 



780 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

more settled of the present Iinliaus in both our own southwest, and in northern, 
western, and central Mexico; while variants of it and derived games may he traced 
oyer well-nigh the whole western half of our continent. 

A study of the distinctive marks of the different sticks or cane slips used in this 
game by the Zufii would seem to indicate that this peculiar form of it is the most 
primitive. The reason for this will subsequently appear. 

The name sho'-li-ive is derived from sho o li, "arrow,"' and ice, plural ending, signify- 
ing "parts of," sho we heing the plural of simple arrows. Shoo li, or "arrow," is 
derived in turn from sho o le, "cane," the termination li in the derived word being 
a contraction of li a, and signifying "out of," "from," or "made of." Thus, the 
name of the game may be translated "cane arrows," or "cane arrow pieces" or 
"parts." 

These "parts" consist of four slips of cane. From the fact that these slips are so 
split and cut from the canes as to include at their lower ends portions of the joints 
or septas of the canes, and from the further fact that they* are variously banded 
with black or red paint, or otherwise, it may be seen that they represent the foot- 
ings or shaftments of cane arrows in which the septse at the lower ends serve as 
stops for the footing or nocking-plugs. l 

A study of the bandings by which these cane slips are distinguished from one 
another reveals the very significant fact that they are representative of the rib- 
bandings of cane-arrow shaftments. 

I have found that sets of Zufii, as well as the ancestral Cliff Dweller arrows, 
were thus ribbanded with black or red paint to symbolize, in the arrows so marked, 
the numerical and successional values of the Four Quarters, each set, especially of 
war arrows, consisting of four subsets, the shaftments of each differently marked. 
The reasons for this, and processes of divination by which the members of the 
different sets among the arrows were determined during their manufacture, I have 
set forth in a paper on "The Arrow," published in the Proceedings of the American 
Association for the Advancement of Science, 1895, and also in the American Anthro- 
pologist for October of the same year. 

In the second part of that paper, the publication of which was delayed by my 
Florida explorations, I proceeded to show how these various facts indicated quite 
clearly that the Zuni game of Sho'-li-we was, as its name implied, developed from the 
use of actual arrows for divination; and I further instanced many ceremonial usages 
of simple or ceremonial arrows in such divinatory processes as further demonstrating 
this claim. 

It may be well for me to preface a description of the four cane slips constituting 
the principal apparatus of the game by a statement or two relative to the successional 
numbers of the Four Quarters as conceived in Zuni dramatography. 

The Chief or "Master" region, as well as the first, is the North, designated the 
Yellow; believed to be the source of breath, wind, or the element Air, and the place 
of Winter; hence of violence or war, and therefore Masculine. 

The next or second region is the West, designated the Blue; believed to be the 
source of moisture or the element Water and the place of Spring, or renewal and 
fertility ; hence of birth, and therefore Feminine. 

The next, or third, is the South, designated as the Red; believed to be the source 

1 The canes are split with reference to the notion that one side is masculine or 
north, and the other feminine or south. This is determined by the direction or 
character of the natural growth, as well as by the presence or absence of the leaf 
pocket in the joint on the one side or the other of that particular section which 
forma the shaftment of the arrow (Cushing). In ancient China, according to the 
Chow Le (LXII, 37), the arrow maker floated the arrow longitudinally upon water 
to determine the side which corresponded to the principle of inertia and the side 
which corresponded with the principle of activity. The former sank, while the 
latter rose. He cut the notch with reference thereto. 



CHESS AND PLAYING- CARDS. 



781 



of beat or the element Fire, and the place of Summer, of growth and productivity; 

hence of fostering, and likewise Feminine. 

The last, or fourth of the earthly regions represented in the ordinary sheaf of 
arrows and in the game, is the East, designated the White, and believed to be tin- 
source of seeds and the element Earth, and the place of Autumn, of new years, and 
hence of creation; therefore Masculine again. 1 

These various regions and their numbers and meanings are symbolized on the 
arrows of the Four Quarters by differences in their ribbandings (fig. 110). 

Those of the North were characterized by a single medial ribband ing around the 
shal'tment, sometimes of yellow, but more usually of black, the color of death. 



w 







E 



Fig. 110. 

ARROW SHAFTMENTS OF THB FOFR DIRECTIONS, SHOWING RIBBANDIM ; AND (I I DOCK KKATI 

Zufii. 

From a sketch by Frank Hamilton Cubing. 

Those of the West were also singly ribbanded coextensively with the shaftment, 
but there was oftentimes a narrow terminal band at either end of this broad band, 
sometimes of bine or green, but usually of black. 

'1 hose of the South, were characterized by two bands midway between the two 
ends and the middle, sometimes of red, but usually of black. 

Those of the East were characterized by either two narrow bands at either end, 
leaving the whole medial space of the shaftment white, or more often by a Bingle 
band at the upper end of the shaftment, sometimes composed of two narrow black 
fillets inclosing white, but usually merely black and not doubl-. 



'See Outlines of Zuni (nation Myths, Thirteenth Annual Report of the Bureau 

of Ethnology, p. 369. 



782 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

In the highly finished arrows the cock or "tail" leathers were notched and tnfted 
to correspond numerically and positionally with the handings, for mythic reasons 
into which it is not necessary to enter here. 

Each of the four cane slips was handed to correspond with the rihhandings of one 
(ii another of these sets of the arrows of the Four Quarters; hnt the paint bands (fig. 
L05 were almost invariably black and were placed in the concavity of the cane slips 
(bus. 100-9), not on the periphery (which was, however, scorched, scored, or carved 
to correspond), evidently to keep the paint from being worn off by handling and 
casting. 

Thus the cane slip of the North was banded only at the middle, and was called 
d-ihlu-a, or the ''All Speeder," or "Sender" {J, "all," and thlu-ah, "to run," 
"speed," or "stand ready"). 

The cane slip of the West was blackened its full length and was called K'wi'-ni~ 
ktva, or the ''Black" (medicine), from K'wi-nd, "black," and ak'-kwa, "medicine" 
or "sacred." 

The cane slip of the Sonth w T as doubly banded, as was the arrow of the South, 
and was called pathl-to-a, or "divider divided " ( "bordered, inclosed"), from jxilhl-to, 
" border," ''edge," "end," and oa, "to become," "to do," or "make to do." 

Finally, the cane slip of the East was banded only at one end, and was called 
Ko -lia-hca, the "White,' or the "White Medicine" (E'ha-na, "white," and ak-kwa, 
"medicine"). 

In addition to the banding and scoring of these cane slips, they were, in cases of 
great importance (as in sets made from the captured arrows of some celebrated foe- 
man), notched at the ends, as I have said the cock feathers were notched; but this 
old practice has fallen into disuse to such extent that I have seen only one vener- 
ated set so notched. In this set, if I observed aright, the notches corresponded in 
number as well as in place, whether at sides or in the middle of the ends, with the 
number and positions of the handings and of the tuftings on the cock feathers 
of the arrows from which, probably, they were made. The normal numerical value 
of the cane slips agreed with the successional values of the regions they belonged 
to— that is, the slip of the North made one; that of the West two; that of the South 
three, and that of the East four. But as this gave unequal values, other values or 
counts were added, according as the slips fell concave or convex sides uppermost, 
and especially according to the thrower. 

That this may be understood, the general nature of the game as essentially a 
sacred tribal process of divination must be considered. Formerly Sho'-li-we was 
exclusively a game of war divination, and was played only by Priests of the Bow, 
members of the esoteric society of war shamans. 

These members were, according to their totems and clans, members of the clan 
groups corresponding to the several quarters or sacred precincts of North, West, 
South, East, Upper, Lower, and Middle regions. But since there were only four 
regions concerned in the wage of war, clansmen of the upper and nether regions 
were relegated to the east and west, since the places of the upper and lower regions 
in the sacred diagram were in the Northeast — between the East and North, and in 
the Southwest — between the West and South; while clansmen of the middle might, 
as determined by the casts of their arrow canes, belong to anyone of the other 
regions, since the midmost was the synthetic region, the all-containing and the all- 
contained place, either the first, therefore, or the last. This war game of the Priests 
of the Bow was played semiannually at the festivals of the Twain Gods of War, 
Ahaiyuta and Matsaileina, patrons of the game by virtue of the vanquishment of 
the Creational God of Gambling, Mi'-si-na, the Eagle-star God, whose forfeited 
head now hangs in the Milky Way, and whose birds are the god-servants of war 
and the plumers of the canes of war. 

It is played at such times as a tribal divination ; a forecast for war or peace, for 
prosperity or adversity, and is accompanied by tribal hazards and gambling. But 
at other times it is played for the determination of peace or war, of the direction or 



CHESS AND PLAYING CARDS. 



783 



precautions to be taken in defensive or offensive operations or preparations. As tints 
played, tbere must be tour participants. Each possesses bis own canes. In tin- 
uppermost room of the Pueblo (now fallen ), there was formerly a shrine of the game. 
Here during terrific sand storms or at night the players gathered to divine. To 

the middle of the ceiling was suspended a jical or largo round bowl-basket, over 
which a deerskin was stretched like a drumhead. Immediately below this, spread 
over a sacred diagram of prayer meal representing the terrace or cloud bed of the 
Four Quarters, on the door, was a buffalo robe, pelt side up, head to the east, left side 
to the north, etc. (fig. 104). Upon this pelt a broken circle was traced either in 
black lines or dots, and with or without grains of corn (forty for each line, the colors 
corresponding to the quarters as above described), and the openings (canyons or 
passageways) occurring at the four points opposite the tour directions. (It should 
be observed that a cross ( + ) was sometimes painted both on the < enter of the skin 
on the basket drum and on the hid--, beneath, the upper symbolic of Ahaiyuta. and 
the lower of Matsailema, the Twin War Gods.) 

The four players chose their places according to the clan groups and directions 
or quarters they represented: the player of the North between the eastern and 
northern passageway; the player of the West between the northern and western 
passageway, and so on. The players of the East and North represented war, and (in 
other modes of the game) masculinity; those of the West and South, peace and 
femininity. 




Fig:, ill. 

MANNER OF HOLDING CANES EN TOSSING IN OAMB nF SIIO'-U-WE. 
ZuOi Indians, Xew Mexico. 

Prom a drawing l>y Frank Hamilton Cushinu'. 

Before taking their places they muttered prayers, or rather rituals, clasping the 
playing canes lengthwise between the palms, breathing deeply, and from the close 
of the prayers, repeatedly upon them, nibbing and shuttling them vigorously, from 
which comes the title of a skilled player or a gambler: shfo-li, ••cane rubber" or 
"cane shuttler." As they took their seats, each placed under the edge of the buffalo 
hide in front of his place the pool, consisting of sacred white shell beads, or of little 
tablets representative of various properties and thus forming a kind of currency, since 
these little symbols were redeemable in the properties they represented or in commod- 
ities of equal value by agreement. Each also laid down at hisrighl side on theed 
of the robe over the pool two kinds of counters, usually a set of count iug straws ..f 
broom grass, about six or seven inches long, worn by much use. and van ing in num- 
ber according to the proposed game. From ten to forty or forty-two, or from one 
hundred to one hundred and two (this latter divided at random into four bund 
was selected by each player. The additional counters were BUpplied bj beans 01 
corn grains, each set. or the set of each player, being of his appropriate color. Four 
splints, the moving pieces of the game, were laid in then places by the hti Bides 
of the passageways. 



784 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Each player then shuffled his cane cards back and forth in his palms as before de- 
M-i [bed, as though to smooth and heat them, addressed them, especially the stick of 
his special quarter, as (for the East) " Tchim-mi ko-ha-kua taiycithlta tii! " "Now 
then, white one, come thou uppermost! " Then laying the all-sender (or his special 
slip as such) across the two middle fingers and the other three slips upon it inside 
of one another, his thumb pressing over their midst, the ends pointed outward over 
the index linger, and the bases held down to the base of the palm by the bent-over 
little finger (fig. Ill), he quickly breathed or putted upon them, shouted at them, and 
cast them skillfully against the stretched skin of the basket, so that they rebounded 
swiftly and fell almost unerringly within the circle on the pS wine or bed of buffalo 
hide. Now it "was noted which slip lay uppermost over the others. If the White 
man threw, aud if the white stick lay uppermost over all the others, he uttered 




a 




OTEPf* 




H 



Fig. 112. 

SET OF CANES FOR SHO'-LI-WE (REPRODUCTIONS). 

Length, 5£ inches. 
Zuiii. 

Cat. No. 16543, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



thanks and the cast counted him four and gave him the privilege of another cast. 
If, moreover, all three slips (except his sender) lay concave sides upward, they 
counted him ten and gave him a second additional throw. If all three fell convex 
side up, they counted him five. If two concave sides and one convex side up, they 
counted him three, and if two convex sides and one concave side up they counted 
him only one. The player who had the largest number of both kinds of counts after 
each had tried, led off in the game and was supposed to be favored by the gods at 
the beginning. With but a slight change in the system of the counting, the game 
w;is continued; that is, the double counts were kept if the process included gam- 
bling — that is, "willingness to sacrifice" — but only the counts according to the re- 
gions, if the game was purely an arrow or war divination. But it is to be noted that 
in either case an ingenious method was resorted to in order to equalize the counts. 
Since the North or Yellow man could gain only one and a double throw if his slip 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



785 




a a 



d ^ > 



came uppermost, he gained the count <»(' his opponent of the South, if his slip, the 
slip of the North, fell uppermost on the Red man's Blips. 

The latter thus forfeited alike his double throw and his 
appropriate number, three. The tally of these purely cos- 
mical counts was kept with the bundle of splints; the tally 
of the cast-counts or their sums were kept with the grains 
by counting out. and that of the individual by moving the 
pointer of the passageway as many dots or grain-places to 
the left as the east called for. If a player of the East or 
North overtook a player of the West or South, if his pointer 
fell in the same space, he maimed his opponent — sent him 
hack to his passageway— and robbed him of his load; that 
is. took or made him forfeit his counts. 

The completion of the fourth circuit by any one of the 
players closes the ordinary game, providing the sum of the 
cosmical counts had been won by him, aud the player who, 
with, his partner, had the largest aggregate of both lot and 
cosmical counts was the winner. 

There were many variants of this game as to counts. 
Some of these were so complicated that it was absolutely 
impossible for me to gain knowledge of them iu the short 
practice I had in the play. I have given here, not very 
precisely or fully, the simplest form I know, except that 
of the lot aud diagram, which was quite like that of Td 
sho'-U-we (or wood canes), which may be seen by the above 
description to be an obvious derivative both in mode and 
name of the older game of "canes." It was evidently thus 
divorced for purposes of exoteric play, as it is practiced not 
only by men but also by women. 

Fig-. 112 represents the obverse of a set of Zufii 
canes for Sho'-li-we reproduced from memory by 
Mr. dishing for the writer in the summer of 1S93. 
It will be observed that the d'-thlua, the upper- 
most cane in tig. 1 12, corresponding with the north, 
is marked on the convex side with a cross, agree- 
ing directly in this respect with one of the sticks 
in the Tewan game (fig. 88). This peculiarity, in 
one form or another, is repeated throughout almost 
the entire series of implements described, the ob- 
veise of one of the sticks iu many of the sets being 
carved or binned, while iu others one of the staves 
is tied about the middle. In attempting to ac- 
count for this it occurred to the writer to compare 
the Zuui stick bearing the cross mark with an 
atlatl or throwing stick (fig. 113) from a Cliff dwell- 
ing in Mancos Canyon, Colorado, in the Tni ver- 
sify of* Pennsylvania Museum. 

Mr. Gushing had already suggested to me that 
the a'-thlu-a, placed beneath the others in throwing 
corresponded with the atlatl. The comparison 
continued his suggestions. The cross mark is clearly the cross) wiap- 
NAT 3IUS 9(? oO 



78G 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



ping of the atlatl (fig. 114) for the attachment of finger loops. In the 
opinion of the writer, the Zufii canes may be regarded as symbolic of 
the atlatl and three arrows, such as are seen carried by the gods in 




Fig. 114. 
HANDLE OF ATLATL SHOWING CROSSED WRAPPING FOR ATTACHMENT OF FINGER LOOPS. 

Cliff dwelling, Maneos Canyon, Colorado 

Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

Mexican pictures. From the evidence afforded by the implements 
employed, the games with tossed canes, staves, etc., I conclude that 
they must all be referred to the region of cane arrows and the atlatl) 
probably Mexico and the southwestern United States. 

A summary of the games described in the preceding pages is con- 
tained in the following tables. The games of this class I have found 
recorded as existing among some sixty-one tribes, comprised in twenty- 
three linguistic stocks, described or collected by some seventy-live 
observers, extending from the year 1634 down to the present, and rep- 
resented by some ninety specimens from forty-one tribes, eighteen 
stocks, and thirty nine collectors in the live principal American muse- 
ums of ethnology: Washington, New York, Chicago, Cambridge, and 
Philadelphia, and the hands of five individuals. The older accounts 
of the game among the Indians of Mexico are not included in this 
enumeration. 



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REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

In the Rummer of 189G, Dr. J. Walter Fewkes, while engaged hi 
explorations for the Bureau of American Ethnology, found several 
ancient split reeds marked in a similar manner to those used in the 
Zuni game of Sho'-U-we. These reeds, represented in plate 15, were dug 
up by him at the Cherlon ruin, near where the Cherlon Fork empties 
into the Little Colorado, about 15 miles east of Winslow, Arizona. He 
writes: 

I have no means of knowing how old Cherlon ruin is, but very old — no white man's 
objects were unearthed there. There were settlements in the vicinity as late as 1700. 
This may have heen one, hut I judge from the ruin and legends that it was much 
older. The ruin of Cherlon, like many on the hanks of the Little Colorado, shows 
resemblances to ruins on Zuni Eiver, and no doubt has relations with them. The 
Southern Hopi clans claim them, and I fancy both Zufii and Moki are related to the 
clans of Cakwabayu, ''Blue Running AVater House. '" 

I am indebted to Mr. Wells M. Sawyer, of the Bureau of American 
Ethnology, for the careful drawing (Plate 15) showing the marks on the 
reeds. One reed is apparently without marks on the exterior, and of 
the four others two have the same marks, from which the writer infers 
that they form part of at least two original sets. During the same 




STAVE FOR GA3IE. 

Length, 7 inches. 
Cliff dwellings of Mancos Canyon, Colorado. 

Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

season's work, Dr. Fewkes excavated a bowl (Cat. Xo. 157735, U.S.N.M.) 
from the old ruin of Ouhopavi containing a symbolic pictograph of a 
bird, and a representation of the four reed or stave casts (Plate 1G). 
This bowl was dug up from the old cemetery. Old Cuiiopavi, or Shi- 
mopavi, as it is commonly written, he informs me, was inhabited in 1510, 
and the people moved to the present site about the end of the seven- 
teenth century. "The bowl is of the same ware as the prehistoric 
pottery of Tusayau, and I think it older than 1510, but that ls not 
proven. The bird is Kwataka, 'Eagle Man/ 1 an old crony of gamblers." 
Additional evidence of the antiquity of the stave game in North 
America is afforded by a prehistoric stave of cotton wood (fig. 115), 
Mu-. Arch., Univ. Penn.), tied at one end with sinew to prevent its 
splitting, and practically identical with the Navajo staves of cotton 
wood (Cat. No. 9557, U.S.X.M.), which was found by the Wetherill 
Brothers in a prehistoric Cliff dwelling in Mancos Canyon, Colorado. 

In ancient Mexico, among the cultivated Aztecs, we find mention of 
the "game of the canes" under the names of cauallopan and nemimina- 



Identified by Mr. Cashing with Mi -si-na referred to in his account of Sho'-li-we. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 15. 





I 




— » 





Gambling Reeds. 

(Restored.) 

Cherlon ruin. Arizona. 

Cat. No. 1580:30, U.S.X.M. Collected by Dr. J. Walter Fewkea 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 16. 




Decorated Pottery Bowl with "Eagle Man " and 

Gaming-Reed Casts. 

Cufii ipavi 

Car x<- 157735, U.S.N.M. Collected by Dr. J. Walter Fewkea 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 801 

liztli in Molina's dictionary. Dr. Briuton informs me that the com- 
bination cauallopan nemiminaliztli is defined by \l. Simeon, in his 
Dictionnaire de la langue Nauhttatlj as " playing with horses." Again 

Molino gives neyayaotlaliztli = ic juego de canas, o escarainin-a" skir- 
mish) and juegos de pelea (war)- neyayaotlaliztli. 

A reference to the cane game is to be found in Torqnemada. 1 Speak- 
ing of the ceremonies in honor of Tlaloc 2 he says: 

The day on which they held feast to these gods was in the sixth month, which cor- 
responds to onr June. On this day they cleansed all cisterns and water conduits and 
played with green maize stalks. 

Again, in the " Hymn of Tlaloc " :! occurs the passage: 

In Tlalocan, in the verdant house, they play at ball, they cast the reeds. 

Duran 4 (somewhat confusedly) describes a game with tossed canes 
as follows: 

There was another game, which was that they made on a plaster lloor little hollows 
after the manner of afortuna (wheel of fortune?), and one took ten pebbles aud the 
other ten others, and the one placing his pebbles ou the one edge and the other on 
the other on contrary sides, and taking some reeds split down the middle they 
threw them on the ground so that they sprang up, and as many reeds as fell with 
the hollow side upward so many "houses" he moved his pebbles forward, and thus 
one such followed the other, aud all pebbles as he overtook, he went ou taking 
away until he left his adversary without any."' (The meaning of the clause that fol- 
lows is not clear.) 

The game of PatoJli (Xo. 39) by which we now generally understand 

the game played with marked beans instead of canes or staves, upon 

a cross shaped diagram, is probably a derived form of the cane game, 

the use of beans being paralleled at the presentday among the Cherokee 

(see p. 720). The word was a general name for games and was also 

applied to the "dice," by which they were counted. Kibas uses it in 

that sense in the account which iollows, referring to the Indians of 

Sinaloa: 

The game that they call of the Patolli is very common among them and corre- 
spondo to that of cards or dice, because in place of them they use certain tour small 

1 Monorchia Indiana, II, p. 147. 

-The deity who presided over the waters, the rains, the thunder, and the Lightnii 
The annual festival in his honor took place about the time of the corn planting, and 
was intended to secure his favor for this all-important crop. Big Veda American us. 
Daniel (l. Briuton, Philadelphia, 1890, p.25. 

3 Rig Veda Americanus, p. 24. 

'Diego Duran, Historia de las Indias. III. Cap. XXII. A translation is given by 
Tylor. On American Lot (James, p. 8. 

■'• f labia otro juego que era que hacfan enoima de un encalado anoa 03 oe peqnefl 
a inanera de fortuna y el uno tomaba die/ piedras y el otro otras die/ y el un>» ponfa 
sus piedras por la una acera y el otro por la otra en contrarias part* n anas 

canuelas hendidas por medio daban en el snelo y saltaban en alto y tantaa onantM 
canuelas caian lo giieco hacia arriba tantaa caaaa adelantaba sus piedraa j 
seguian el uno al otro y todas cuantas chinas le alcan/aba se las 1 1 » .- 1 i|uitando ha 
dejalle sin ninguna y acontecia babelle qnitado einco 3 seifl y < on lae onatro qne le 
quedaban decirle tambieu las canuelas que revolvi'a sobre el otro y ganalle el ju< 
NAT MUS 96 51 



802 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



canes, scratched, less in length than a span, and upon these they have certain small 
figures and points which give them their value or loss. When they play they throw 
these down, casting them upon a small stone in order that they may rebound and 
fall with their points at random, aud he who plays wins or loses, marking on the 
earth the points which gain until the number is reached of the wager which those 
present have made. This wager is of beads of shells of the sea which they esteem 
and with which they adorn themselves. Wagers are also made of bows, or arrows, 
or knives, articles they obtain; and of the same character are their wagers in other 
uames. ' 




Fij:. 116. 
SCHEME OF PLATE 44, FEJERVARY CODEX. 

After Cyrus Thomas. 



El jnego que Hainan del Patoli es muy general en ellos, y corresponde al de los 
naipes o dados. Torque en lugar dellos usan de unas quatro canitas cortas, rajadas, 
menores de un genie, y en ellas tienen unas ngurillas y puntos, que les da el valor, 
dperdid;i. Kstas quaudo juegan las botan, arrojandolas sobre una pedreeita, para 
qne salten, y caigau los puntos a su ventura, y gane, o pierda el que las juega, 
rayando en la tierra los puutos que ganan, hasta cnmplir el numero de la apuesta, 
que se hazen alii presente. Esta es de sartas de caracolillos de mar que ellos esti- 
man, y con que se adornan. Tambien sirve de posta, arcos o flechas, cnchillos, o 
achnelas qne alcausau : y de lo mismo suelen ser las apuestas de otros juegos. 
Perez de Kibas, Historia de los Triumphos, Lib. 1, Cap. IV, Madrid, 1645. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 17. 




Plate 44, Fejervary Codex. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CAKDS. 



803 



In searching for remains of the cane game in old Mexico, the writer 
was deeply impressed with the many points of resemblance between the 
gaming circuit as described by Mr. Dashing as used in Sho'-li-tce, and 
some of the diagrammatic paintings in the codices, leading him to the 
conclusion that the purpose of the latter was identical. As an illustra- 
tion, the figure from the Fejervary codex (Plate 17) may be regarded a^ 
a divinatory, calendrical counting circuit, the forty beans or corn of 
four colors of the Zufii Sho' li-we having their counterparts in the four 
colored arms of the cross — red, yellow, blue, and green — marked with 
small circles. Again the entire design of the Mexican figure will be 
seen to represent an animal or the hide of an animal, comparable with 
the buffalo hide of the Zufii game. In the center of the Mexican 






Fig. J17. 
SET OK STICKS FOR GAME. 

Lengths, 3| and 3$ inches. 

Toba Indiana, Grand Chaco, South America. 

Cat. No. 1799, Field Columbian Museum. Hassler collection. 



picture is a figure of a warrior god or priest, armed with athdl and 
darts, corresponding to the cross, symbolic of the twin war god of the 
Zufii circuit. The scheme of the plate from Prof, Cyrus Thomas's 
Notes on certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts' is added (fig. 116) to 
facilitate comparison. 

From South America the following sets of implements have been 
collected : 

Toba Tribe, Chaco Indians. Cat. No. 1790, Field Columbian Museum, 

Chicago. Hassler collection. 

Three sticks roughly whittled from small twigs (fig. 117), Two of 

them 'd\ inches in length, h inch wide, and about J inch thick, slightly 

rouaded on one side, which is blackened, while the other is fiat and 



'Third Annual Report Bureau of Ethnology. 



804 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



plain. The third stick is about 3J inches in length, made of another 
wood, and possibly belongs to another set. Collected by Dr. Emil 
Hassler. Dr. Hassler informed the writer that they are tossed in the 

air and if three round sides fall upper- 
most they gain. "The sticks must fall 
parallel." 
Referring to the Toba, Oardus 1 says: 

Their principal game consists in raising and 
letting fall to the ground some small pieces of 
split reed with much shouting ; the ohject of the 
shouting, on one side, that the pieces may fall 
well, and on the other that they may fall hadly. 
The stakes are usually a horse, a cow, a slave, a 
sheep, or a poncho. 

Another set of similar gambling in- 
struments from the Indians of the Grand 
Chaco are represented in fig. 118. They 
were exhibited by Dr. Hassler in his 
collection at the Columbian Exposi- 
tion, but unfortunately can not now be 
found in the Field Columbian Museum, 
to which the collection was transferred. 
The two large bones are tossed, their 
falls determining the count, which is 
recorded by means of the small radial 
bones that are strung upon the cord. 
The men who play this game carry the 
implements suspended from their wrist. 2 
The games above described led the 
writer to make a particularly careful 
search for objects that might have served 
for gaming implements in collections 
from ancient Peru. In the collection 
made by Dr. Max Uhle, at Pachaca- 
mac, for the University of Pennsylvania, now in its Museum, are a 
number of narrow, fiat tablets of hard wood that might possibly have 
been used as gaming staves. The same conjecture might be hazarded 
with reference to six slips of cane (Cat. No. 28393) found together on a 
mummy in the first cemetery. These slips, which are 4 inches in length 
by about J inch in width, are wound with colored thread, black, yellow, 

1 Las Misiones Franciscanas entre los infideles de Bolivia por el R. P. Fr. Jose" 
Cardns, Barcelona, 1886, p. 263. 

I find the following reference to games of this type among the South American 
Indians: Molina (History of Chili, II, p. 9), in describing the games of the Araucan- 
i:ui8, says, "the game of quechu, which they esteem highly, has a great affinity to 
that of backgammon, but instead of dice they make use of triangular pieces of bone 
marked with points, which they throw with a little hoop or circle supported by two 
pegs, as was probably the fritillus of the ancient Romans." 




Fig. 118. 

PAIR OF BONES AND COUNTERS FOR GAME. 

Grand Chaco Indians. 

Field Columbian Museum. Hassler collection. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 805 

and red, in bands of varying width. The arrangement of the colors 
varies on each of the six slips. 

William Bollaert 1 describes a game of the Aymara Indians under the 
name of pasa. 

It is one of great antiquity, and seems to be the only one of this sort. Pasa 
means a hundred, as he wins who first gets that number. They play it with two 
instruments, one a spread eagle of wood with ten holes on each side, being tens, 
and are marked with pegs. to denote every man's gettings; the other is a bone in the 
manner of a die, cut with seven faces, one of which has a particular mark called 
guayaro (hnyarn). • The other five tell according to the number of them, and the last 
is a blank. The way of playing is to toss up the bone, and the marks on the upper 
surface are so many got. But the guayro goes for ten, and the like number is lost 
if the blank side appears. 

Yon TsckudP describes the following game: 

Pitska, a game with small sticks which were marked with stripes of different 
colors. It was generally played during the night of the death watch. Villagomez 
believes that its name is derived from Pitska, the number "five" because of the live 
fast days following the night of the death watch, a view which I do not accept. 
Holguin mentions the game Pitska, and refers to Pitskana as a six-sided piece of 
wood or small stick with which the game is played, only we do not know how it 
was done but probably in a similar way to the game of dice. In Aymara its name 
is also Phi*ka. 

4. Tab. Cairo, Egypt. 

Board, staves, 4 and men. A game played upon a board divided into 
rows of squares, with pieces or men, which are moved according to the 
throws with four staves (tig. 119). 

The board, called a seega (fig. 120), is divided into four rows of squares 
called beyts (houses) each about 2 inches wide, or it consists of similar 
rows of holes made in the ground or in a tiat stone. The beyts are 
usually seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, or fifteen in each row. In each 
beyt of one exterior row is placed a little piece of stone or dingy brick 
about the size of a walnut, and in each beyt of the other exterior row 
a piece of red brick or tile, or sometimes pieces are placed in only 

•Antiquarian, Ethnological and other Researches in New Granada. Bquador, Peru, 
and Chili, London, 1800, p. 108. 

3 Referring to the above account, Dr. Iiriuton tells me that the exacl form, pasa, 
as a numeral, does not appear to prevail in Aymara or Quichua. In Aymara we 
have : 

paa or pay a = 2 or twice 
pits') = 4 

pataca = 100 

In Quichua: 

pussac = 8 
paohac = 100 

"1 do not find guayaro or huyaru in either tongue, although there are n number of 
words close to them." 

3 Zeitrage zur Kentnies <les alteu Peru. Wein, 1891, p. 217. 

4 Cat. No. 10896. Mus. Arch.. Univ. Penn. Made in Streets of Cairo. Columbian 
Exposition, Chicago, 1893. 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



B certain number of beyts in those rows, as for instance in the first four. 
The pieces of one row must be distinguished from those in the other. 





Fig. 119. 

CAXE3 FOR TAB. 

Length, 8 inches. 
Cairo, Egypt. 

Cat. >'o. 16896, Museum of Archsology. University of Pennsylvania. 



They are called Icilab, or "dogs;" in the singular, kelb. The game is 
generally played by two persons. The four sticks consist of pieces of 
palm branch, about 8 inches in length, one side of which, being cut flat 



i 


h 


g 


f 


e 


d 


c 


b 


a 


k 


1 


m 


n 





P 


q 


r 


9 


s 


R 


Q 


P 





N 


M 


L 


K 
I 


A 


B 


c 


D 


E 


E 


G 


H 



Pig. li'". 

BOARD iseega) FOR tab. 

Egypt. 

From Lane. 



and smooth, is white; the other green, or, if not fresh, of a dull yellow 
color; the former side is commonly called white and the other black. 
The four sticks are thrown, all together, against a stick thrust into the 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



807 



ground or against a wall, or against a stick inclined against a wall. 
The throws count as follows : 

1 white side up, called tab, or weled, "child" si. 

2 white sides up = -• 

3 white sides up =3. 

4 white sides up = 4. 
4 black sides up =6. 

A throw of 4 or 6 entitles the player to throw again. 1 

The name of the board in this game, seegd,, appears to be an Araba- 
cized form of the Indian word saj, "teak." According to native lexi- 
cographers it is applied to wood, black and heavy and made in pieces 
of oblong form or squared, brought from India. In the sense of board 
it was originally applied to the tablet made of saj wood. The name 
given to the men, "dogs," is the same as that applied to the men in the 
game of Kaicade kelia (No. 37) in Ceylon. These facts would seem to 




Fig. 121. 

CAXES FOR GAME. 

Length, 8£ inches. 
Singapore, Straits Settlements. 

Cat. No. 175222, U.S.N". M. 

indicate an Asiatic origin for the game of Tab. According to Dr. Hyde 
it was known to the Persians under the name of Bazi Jcamish, that is, 
the "Keed game." 

The following game, No. 5, from Singapore, affords an illustration of 
its wide distribution in Asia: 
5. Game Sticks. 2 Singapore, Straits Settlements. 

Set of four bamboo staves about 8J inches in length, painted black 
with Chinese ink on one side (fig. 121). Evidently intended for a game 
like Tab. 

In closing this account of the use of the tossed staves in divination 
and gambling in the Old World it is fitting to mention the references 
to similar customs by the classical authors. Thus Tacitus • describes 
the Germans as "cutting a twig from a fruit 4 tree and dividing it into 



] For a further account of the method of play, consult Edward William Lane, 
Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians, II, p. I '■ 

2 (Cat. No. 175222, U.S.N.M.) Collected hy Hon. Bonnsevelle Wildman, U. 8. Con- 
sul-General, Singapore. 

3 Germania. X. 

4 Dr. O. Schrader, "Oak, beech/' Prehistoric Antiquities of the Aryan Peoples, 
London, 1890, p. 279. 



808 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



small pieces, which, distinguished by certain marks, are thrown pro- 
miscuously upon a white garment. Then the priest of the canton, if 
the occasion be public (if private, the master of the family), after an 
invocation of the gods, with his eyes lifted up to heaven, thrice takes 
out each piece, and, as they come up, interprets their signification 
according to the marks fixed upon them. If the result prove unfavor- 
able, there is no more consultation upon the same affair that day; if 
propitious, a consultation by omens is still required." 

More closely resembling the practices described in the text is the 
German method of divination as related by Saxo-Grammaticus 1 of 
the inhabitants of the Isle of Eugen, in the Baltic Sea: 

Throwing, by way of lots, three pieces of wood, white in one part and black in 
another, into their laps, they foretold good fortune by the coming up of the white; 
bad by that of the black. 




Fig. 122. 

BARESMA. 

Length, 5 inches. 

From drawing of originals in the possession of Prof. A. V. Williams Jackson. 



The reference in Herodotus 2 to divination among the Scythians, in 
which large bundles of rods were used, seems to refer to the class of 
divinatory rites that will be treated in the second part of this paper. 

Leuormand ! states that the Magi foretold the future by throwing 
little sticks of tamarisk wood. The authority which he cites 4 makes 
no specific mention of any such performance, but merely says that the 
"Magi and Scythians prophesy with staves (ligno); and in many places 
prophesying they use twigs (virgis). Dinon says that the Median 
magi also prophesy by twigs (virga). n Dinou no doubt referred to the 
baresma, of which mention is also made by Strabo. 5 

The baresma (now called barsom) was a bundle of sacred twigs which 
the priest held in his hands while reciting the prayers (Plate 18). They 
were formerly twigs of the pomegranate, date, or tamarind tree, or any 
tree that had no thorns, and were plucked with peculiar ceremonies 
which alone made them fit to be used for liturgic purposes. 6 



Hist. Dan., XIV, p. 288. 
'Volume IV, p. 67. 
Chaldean Magic, London, 1877, p. 237. 

hoi. Nicandr. Theriac, X, p. 613. 
"They (the -Magi) continue their incantations * * 
a bundle of rods/' XV, Cap. 3. 

The Zend A vesta. Translated by James Darmsteter, Oxford, 1880. Tendldad, 
III. I't. 1, ]>. 22, note 2. The Parsis in India found it convenient to replace them with 
brass wires, which when once consecrated can be used for an indefinite period. (Ibid.) 



holding before the fire 



Report of U. S. National Museum., 1896. -Cunn. 



Plate 18. 




Admoetum Referenda piChrifto Patri RJCHARDC Dti>. ^vrm.Epifr 
copo Petrobiircrenfi hone TlibuLim draiituduiij ervc /ixJ^rns 
mcritc^jjJj.D.Autar T^ti ,. 



Magi with Baresma. 
From Hyde's Historia Religionis Yeterum I'ersanun. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



809 



Lenormancl declares that the baresma originated in a bundle of divin- 
ing wands, suck as were thrown in Chaldea and Babylonia. Madam 
Ragozin, 1 following the same line of comparison, points out the resem- 
blance between the baresma (fig. ll > .')) and a peculiar object (tig. 124) 
which frequently recurs deposited upon the altar in Assyrian scenes of 
worship and sacrifice. "The use of it, or the nature, has never yet 
been explained; but on close inspection it looks extremely like a bundle 
of twigs, uneven in number, tied together 
with a ribbon. Is it not likely that it may 
represent the sacred divining rods and be 
the original of the Avestan baresma V 





Fig. 123. 

HAKESMA (b(trsoiil) WITH STAXD. 

Modem 1'ersia. 

From drawing in the Story of Media, Babylon and Persia. 



Fig. 124. 

ASSYRIAN ALTAR. 

Compare BareMina with stand, tiii.l2:s. 

From drawing in the Story of Media, Bhbylon an. I 
Pertda. 



In ancient China the nobles of the highest ranks carried scepters of 
jade stone, 2 the name of which, A/a./, is written with a character, which 
compounded with the radical for "hand,'' stands for hwd, "to divine 
with straws,"' No. 65; and again, withjpwfc, "to divine." written on the 
right, for the hwd or divinatory diagrams formed of unbroken and 
broken lines. 5 These diagrams may be regarded as representing the 
permutations of two faced staves, three producing the trigranis fig. 5), 



I am indebted to Prof. A. V. Williams Jackson, of Columbia University, for an oppor- 
tunity to examine a set of Ian sum, presented to him with a set of Bacrificial imple- 
ments by Mr. Dinshah Pestanji Pramji Ghadiali. Tiny consist of a bundle of forty- 
three bright brass wires 5 inches in Length fig. 122 . In replj to my inquiry he 
writes that the number in this particular specimen is evidently a matter of chance. 
and he furnishes me with the following reference : 

Jiang's Essays on the Parsis. p. 397 third edition, by E. \\ . Wesl . aa; 

"The harsom consists of a number of slender rods or /,//, former!} t \\ iu> of some 
particular trees, but now thin metal wires are generally used. The number of these 
1<u depends upon the nature of the ceremony t<> be celebrated. For l.jashuc yaziskn | 
alone 21 tai are required ; forljashne. with Vendidad and Vi>para<l. 33 tai J forYasbt-i 
Rapithwin 13 tat; tor Darun Baj 5 tai, or 7 when a priest becomes a herbad." 

■Zenaide A. Ragozin, The Story of Media, Babylon, ami Persia. New York. L888, 
p. 149. 

-The Tcauptii or divinations blocks (fig. 212), were originally mad.' of stone. 

'The Book of History states that in the first month (the time when divination 
especially practiced) the Emperor collected the live kinds of scepters, ami at the 
expiration of the mouth he gave them back to the various chiefs. 



810 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



and six the hexagrams (tig. 4). These tablets, kwai, are figured in the 
imperial edition of the Chow Li, or u Ritual of the Chow Dynasty" 
(1122-255 B. 0.), the pictures dating from the time of Chu Hi, 1 by 
whom they were added to the text in the Twelfth Century, A. D. 
Among them is the un kwai (fig. 125 A), the sun kwai (fig. 125 B), and 
the Jeung Jcwai (fig. 125 C). 

The first, the "pillar scepter" or tablet, was -f 6 foot in length and 
carried by princes of the first rank (dukes). They were the grand 






± 






B 

Fig. 125. 

SCEPTERS {kwai) ANCIENTLY CARRIED BY CHINESE NOBLES. 
From the Chow Li. 



councilors of the Emperor and the descendants of the first two emperors. 
The two pillars or columns were the emblems of the palace, supporting 
it in the same maimer as the princes support the Emperor. Perhaps 
the name, un kwai, indicates that these tablets had two columns. 2 The 
second, the "straight scepter," was -& foot in length and carried by 
princes of the second rank (marquises). It probably represents the 

'Chinese Reader's Manual, No. 79. 
- Le Tcheou-li ou rites des Tcheou. 
431, note 7. 



Traduit par £douard Biot, Paris, 1851, I, p. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



811 



figure of a man standing erect. 1 The third, the "bent scepter." was 
also yV foot in length and was carried by princes of the third rank 
(earls). It is explained as probably representing the figure of a man 
bending over. 1 The Emperor himself had a jade scepter, tdi ktoai 
(fig. 126), "grand tablet," so called from its size, it being 3 feet in length. 




1 



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Fig. 126. 
GRAND SCEPTER (Tdi Icwai) ANCIENTLY CARRIED BY THE EMPEROR. 

China. 

Prom the Chon I . 

It became smaller at the top and its head is in the shape of a hammer. 
This the Emperor wore between his robe and his girdle. 2 

In addition he held another scepter called the chan lewai or scepter 
of omnipotence (fig. 127). It was l ;-,, feet in length. The word chan 
not only signifies omnipotence, but is also the name given to the four 
protecting mountains of the frontiers. In the picture added by < liu 

1 Le Tcheou li on rites ties Tcheoti. Traduit par Edouard Biot, Paris. 1851, I. p. 
432, note 1 
3 Idem, II. p. 522. 



SI 2 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Hi (fig. 127), one sees on the scepter of this name four masses of rock 
which represent the mountains. 1 From the explanation given by the 
commentator it would appear that the great scepter, tdi Jcwai, w r as 
wrapped with cords of five colors. 

The I'icai are not to be confounded with the tablets called fat (Jap- 
anese, shdku), 2 which were used at audiences in former times, nor with 
the scepters, it i (jii i; Japanese, niyoi) given in China at marriage and 
to friends for good luck, and carried in Japan by certain priests :i (fig. 
130). 

Among the Ainu, in Japan, the men use carved wooden staves to lift 
their mustache in drinking sake. These staves, which they call ikonit,* 
are commonly known from their present use as " mustache-sticks." They 
are about 14 inches in length, flat on one side, and rounded upon the 
other, which is more or less elaborately carved. 5 

An examination of the twelve specimens in the U. S. National Museum 
(Plates 19-22) shows a general resemblance to the staves which are tossed 
in gaming. The flat reverses are nearly all scratched with what were 
scarcely discernible marks, represented in plates 20 and 22. The writer 
concludes that these "mustache-sticks" were once emblems of rank or 
authority. 

The only existing objects of remote antiquity with which I am ac- 
quainted outside of America that might have been used as divinatory 
implements in the manner of the staves are a set of ivory rods, dis- 
covered by Prof. Flinders Petrie in Egypt, part of which are now in the 
Museum of Archaeology of the University of Pennsylvania. 

They constitute a portion of the find made by Professor Petrie in 1895 



1 Le Tcheou-li ou rites des Tcheou. Traduit par fidouard Biot, Paris, 1851, I, pp. 
431, 484. 

2 Of the specimens illustrated fig. 128 represents a Chinese tablet scepter in the 
University Museum. It forms an accessory of a Chinese theatrical costume of a 
noble of the imperial court and is made of wood, painted brown and varnished, in- 
stead of ivory. This scepter is slightly bent, 20 inches in length, about i inch 
thick, and tapers from 2 inches wide at the base to If inch at the top. The shaJcn 
(fig. 129) is from a tracing of one in the U. S. National Museum, held in the hand of 
the statue of the Baron Li, said to have been one actually used by that illustrious 
man. 

The U i, literally "as you wish," is of Buddhistic origin, and is one of the Sapta 
ratna or ".Seven precious things," which constitute the insignia of a Tchakravartti. 
In Japan it is carried by the chief priests of the Zen sect, and is used by them to 
administer a blow to the catechumen when he fails to answer correctly. Its origin 
presents an interesting problem, its form suggesting that of the throwing-stick. 
I lie fat or xhaku are wooden tablets, said to have been originally used for noting 
memoranda. 

'.I. M. Dixon, The Tsuishikari Ainos, Trans. Asiatic Soc, Japan, XI, Pt. 1, p. 47. 

"The Japanese call them hi(je-age, i% beard raisers." In "A Glance at ThreeCoun- 
t lies'" (Sautjoku Tsurau Znsetsn), Tokyo, 1785, the author, Kin Shihei, illustrates a 
mustache-stick, which he describes under this name, stating that they are used by 
the Ainu lor the purpose mentioned. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 19. 




Mustache Sticks. 

Length. 12.1 to 18] inches. 

Ainu of Yezo. Japan. 

Cat. Nos. 160697, 160698, 150696, 82261, 160699, 160696, I'.s.v Bf. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 20. 






/ 







Mustache Sticks. 
(Rc\ era 

Ainu of Xf<>. Japan. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm 



Plate 21. 




Mustache Sticks. 

Length, \~ to 14 Inches. 

Ainu of Vivo. Japan. 

Cat. Nos. 150696, 1883, 160699, 28261, 160696, is \ M 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 22. 




Mustache Sticks. 
Reverse 

Ainu of Yezo, Japan. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CAh']». 



813 





=r — -i- 




814 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



• 






i't 



** © °» 

S <M ft 

£ _ 3 

£ .a ^ 



Q 

a 

« 

H 
D 
3? 
D 

- 

a 
a 

Si 

So 
O 



between Ballas and Xagada, about 30 
miles below Thebes, and attributed by 
bim to a new race, probably Lybian, to 
whom be assigned a date about 3000 B. C. 
These rods or staves comprise part of a 
series from one tomb, " possibly a game,' 1 
of which he gives the following list: 

Twelve ivory rods, fig. 131. 

Five ivory rods with incised diagonal 
lines, fig. 132. 

Four figures of lions and one figure of 
hare, fig. 133. 

Seventeen blocks, of which thirteen are 
bone, two limestone, and two alabaster. 

Thirty balls, natural irony concretions. 

The twelve ivory rods, possibly intended 
for counting, are very perfect copies of 
jointed canes or straws. Four of the five 
rods with diagonal lines incised are in the 
University Museum. They are plain on 
one side, while the other is marked as 
shown in fig. 132, two having lines in 
diagonal bands of fours, and two a 
peculiar mark in the middle, which 
may have been intended to represent a 
feminine symbol. I have been unable 
to learn that any representation of such a 
game has been identified upon the monu- 
ments. 

In Africa, Bent 1 gives the following ac- 
count of the use of the four staves in divi- 
nation : 



From many of the huts at Inyamanda were 
hanging their dollasses — wooden charms — on 
which are drawn strange figures (Plate 23). 
Each family possesses a set of four, tied together 
by a string. Of these four one always has a 
curious conventional form of a lizard carved on 
it; others have battle-axes, diamond patterns, 
etc., invariably repeating themselves, and the 
purport of which I was never able to ascertain. 
They are common among all the Abantu races, 
and closely bound up with their occult belief in 
witchcraft. They are chiefly made of wood, but 
sometimes neat little ones of bone are found, a set 
of which I afterwards obtained. On the evening 
of the new moon the village witch doctor will go 



1 The Ruined Cities of Mashonaland, p. 37. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 23. 








Wooden and Bone Dollasses (Divining staves . 
From drawing in Bent's Ruined Cities of Btashonaland. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 815 

round, tossing each man a set of doll the air. and by (be way they turn ap he 

will divine the fortune of the individual for tin- month. that is to con 

In F. BatzePs History of Mankind 1 a picture is given of the dice and 
amulets of a Bamangwato magician in the Ethnographical Museum 
at Munich (I. p. 85 . and again IT. p. 355 of a Kaffir witch docl 

apparatus amulets, dice, etc.) similar to tbe preceding in the Museum 
of the Berlin Mission. 



Fig. 131. 

IVOBY COUNTER FOR GaME ( ?). 

Length. 5 J inches. 
Lybian i .' ). Egypt. 

Cat. No. E. S. 1119, Museum of Arch - _ »ni*. 

Dr. A. Donaldson Smith informs me that lie saw a game played with 
staves throughout Somalilaud and by the Sheik Hussein tribe among 
the Arusa G alias. 



'Speaking of the natives of the Zambezi, the Livingstones (David and Charles 
Livingstone. Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambezi, London. 1865, p. 51 say : 

The dice doctor or diviner is an important member of the community being, 
consulted by Portuguese and natives alike. Part of his business is that of a detect- 
ive, it being his duty to discover thieves. When goods are stolen he goes and looks 
at the pla»e. casts his dice, and waits for a few days, and then, for a consideration, 
tells who is the thief. 

Referring to the Guinea negroes. Bosman (William Bosnian. A Xew and Accurate 
Description of the Coast of Guinea, translated in Pinkerton"> Voy tges, London. U 
XVI. p. 399] says: 

The second way of consulting their idols is by a sort of wild nuts, which they 
pietcnd to take up by gness and let fall again, after which they tell them, ami form 
their predictions from the numbers falling even or odd. 

Specimens of pierced cowrie shells used in fortune-telling from the Liberian 
exhibit at the Columbian Exposition are shown in lig. 134. These ire now 

in the Philadelphia Commercial Museum. 

The negroes of the Trench West Indies, according to Labat (Nouveau Voyage aux 
Isles de L'Ameriqne, Paris. 1724. IV. p. 153V play a game with - - The 

game which they play in their country, and which they have also carried to tin- 
islands, is a sort of game of dice. It is composed of fooj 

used by them as money. They have a hole purp<»>ely made in the convex sid< - 
that they will stand as easily on one side as on the other. They shake them up in 
their hand as one shakes dice and throw them on a table. If all tb< a J with 
holes in them fall uppermost. «»r the op; of two fall in the same manner 

and two in the opposite way, the player wins: but if the number of tin- I <>dd. 

be lo- 
in the strcts of Cairo at tin- Colombian Exposition ras a 
danese, living near Assouan, on the Nib', whose head was a dervish belongii _ 
a local order, who practiced soothsaying with eowrii I 'alcott Will; - This 

man threw several cowrie shells, and made his prediction from the manner in which 
they fell. The cowrie shells correspond with the staves referred to by Bent, and 
are possibly substitutes for staves, as the writer also infers may be the case with 
similar shells in the Hindu game of Pm 

-Translated by A. J. Butler. London. l v 



816 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Mr. «J. Edward Farnum tells me that among the natives of the Bosi 
River, about 150 miles from its mouth (19° south latitude, East Africa), 
the witch doctors throw crocodile scales in fortune telling. The objects 
used are the nuchal dermosseous plates, from behind the base of the 
skull. They are smoothed down and polished, and six or eight— always 
an even number — are thrown. To obtain a reply to a question demand- 
ing an answer of "yes" or "no," the smooth side up will be considered 




Fig. 132. 

IVORY STAVES FOK GAME ( ? ). 

Length (perfect stave), 5| incheLS. 
Lybian, Egypt. 

Cat. Nos. E. S. 1129-1132, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

as "no," and the rough side "yes." An answer is afforded by the 
manner in which the majority (which must be a considerable one) of the 
bones fall. The questions put to the witch doctor, who accompanied 
my informant, were usually about shooting. In reference to the animal 
to be shot, the doctor would name one side of the bones "masculine" 
and the other "feminine." According to the answer, a male or female 





Fig. 133. 

MEN FOR GAME (?) (LION, HARE). 

Lengths, 1.37 inches, and 1 inch. 

Lybian (?), Egypt. 

Cat. Nos. E. S. 1145, 1147, Museum of Archaeology, University of 1'eiinsylvania. 

animal would be shot. Other determinations of a like character were 
made by the position of the bones, one to another, after falling. 

II. A. Bryden 1 describes a Bushman divining for ostriches while on 
the hunt by means of three curious looking flat pieces of bone, trian- 
gular in shape and scored with a rude pattern. 

Be pulls them from the hide strip on which they are threaded, shakes them rapidly 
between, his two palms, and casts them upon the earth. 



1 Longman's Magazine, CLXXVII, p. 231. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



817 



At the present day the Hottentot children east lots by twigs — that is, if a thing 
is lost or a theft has been committed, they throw bits of stick and judge of the cul- 
prit, or of the direction wherein the lost property is to be found, by the arrangement 
of twigs, and among the Kafrirs bundles of sticks and assagais are employed by 
diviners in their rites for the discovery of crime. 1 

Referring to the Melanesians, Cocirington 2 says: 

A game which ltelongs to the Banks Islands and New Hebrides is tika, the Fiji 
ti<iuu, played with reeds dashed in such a manner upon the ground frhat they rise in 
the air and fly to a considerable distance. In some islands, as Santa Maria, a string 
is used to give impetus, and in some the reed is thrown also from the foot. The 
game is played by two parties, who count pigs for the farthest casts, the number of 
pigs counted as gained depending on the number of knots in the winning tika. 
When two villages engage in a match, they sometimes come to blows. There are 
marks on the tika to show to whom 
they belonged. It is remarkable that 
in Mota a decimal set of numerals is 
used in this game, distinct from the 
quinary set used on every other occa- 
sion of counting. 

In !N"ew Zealand, according 
to Taylor,' the natives had a 
way of divination by means of 
sticks. This was called Niu. 4 
Each chief had a particular 
name for his own stick; thus, 
that of one chief was called Te 
ata mounu; that of another, Te 
manu i te ra; and that of a 
third, Tonga hiti. The person 
consulting the Niu went out in 
the morning before it was light, 
so that no one should have been 

out before him, which would destroy the power of consultation, and 
taking his stick, a short, thin oue made of the mahoe, in his right hand, 
and another representing the enemy in his left, he went and stuck 
another in the ground; this represented the tapu; and placing the two 
sticks together, one across the other, he uttered a Jearakia, and then 
threw them in front of a third stick, and it was according to their posi- 
tion that the consulter ascertained whether anyone was traveling on 

'A. W. Buckland. Khabdomaney and Relomancy, or Divination by the Hod and by 
the Arrow, Jour. Anthrop. Inst.. V. p. 1 15. 

- R. EL Codrington, The Melanesians. Studies in their Anthropology and Folk-lore, 
Oxford, 1891, p. 340. 

:1 Rev. Richard Taylor, Te Ika a Maui, or New Zealand and its Inhabitants, I .ondon, 
L855, pp. 91, 92. 

'The name niu is a well-known Polynesian word for cocoannt, which wasspnn 
among the Polynesians for the purpose of divination. The New Zcalanders. although 
they have no eocoanuts, retain the word as a name for other kinds of divination. 
especially that performed by sticks. | Dr. E. B. Tylor, Primitive Culture. j>. 8 
NAT MIS 90 5li 




Fig. 134. 

COWRIE SHELLS USED IN FOKTCNK-TELI.ING. 

Liberia, Africa. 

Philadelphia Commercial Museum. 



818 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

tlic road, whether the}' are friends or foes, and, if the latter, whether 
they would be conquered or not. 1 

Different tribes had different ways of consulting the Xiu, but the practice was 
general throughout the land. A spirit called Korohaha Tu was supposed to reside 

in the stick. - 

This manner of divination finds an almost exact parallel in that 
described by Marco Polo as being resorted to by Chinghis Kaan. :< 

So when the two great hosts were pitched on the plains of Tanduc as you have 
heard, Chinghis Kaan one day summoned before him his astrologers, both Christians 
and Saracens, and desired them to let him know which of the two hosts would gain 
the battle — his own or Prester John's. The Saracens tried to ascertain, but were 
unable to give a true answer; the Christians, however, did give a true answer, and 
showed manifestly beforehand how the event should be. For they got a cane and 
split it lengthwise, and laid one-half on this side and one-half on that, allowing no 
one to touch the pieces. And one piece of cane they called Chinghis Kaan and the 
other piece they called Trester John. And then they said to Chinghis: 'Now mark; 
and you will see the event of the battle, and who shall have the best of it; for 
whose cane soever shall get above the other, to him the victory shall he.' Then the 
Christian astrologers read a Psalm out of the Psalter, and went through other incan- 
tations. And lo ! whilst all were beholding, the cane that bore the name of Chinghis 
Kaan, without being touched by anybody, advanced to the other that bore the name 
of Prester John and got on top of it. 

Colonel Yule has collected a number of references to similar divinatory 
processes, of which the following appear to belong to the same class: 

The words of Hosea (iv, 12), 'My people ask counsel at their stocks and their 
staff declareth unto them/ are thus explained by Theophylactus: 'They stuck up a 
couple of sticks, whilst murmuring certain charms and incantations; the sticks 
then, by the operation of devils, direct or indirect, would fall over, and the direc- 
tion of their fall was noted/ etc. Kubruquis seems to have witnessed nearly the 
same process that Polo describes. Visiting Lady Kuktai, a Christian queen of 
Mangu Kaan, who was ill, he says: 'The Nestorians were repeating certain verses, 
I know not what (they said it was part of a Psalm), over two twigs which were 
brought into contact in the hands of two men. The monk stood during the opera- 
tion." Petis de la Croix quotes from Thevenot's travels a similar mode of divina- 
tion as much used, before a tight, among the Barbary corsairs. Two men sit on the 
deck facing one another, and each holding two arrows by the points, and hitching 
the notches of each pair of arrows into the other pair. Then the ship's writer reads 
a ceri; in Arabic formula, and it is pretended that, whilst this goes on the two sets 
of arrows, of which one represents the Turks and the other the Christians, struggle 
together in spite of the resistance of the holders, and finally one rises over the 

1 If the stick representing his tribe fell above the other, it was a favorable sign; 
if below, a bud one. 

-The following parallel custom exists among the Tsuishikari Ainu, as described to 
J. M. Dixon in the work cited: "A man in the tribe, desirous to know the will of 
the I >eity regarding ;i certain matter, called in the aid of the tusugnru (magician- 
doctor). He came at night with two fresh willow (susu) wands, stripped of the 
bark, which he placed on a mat by the hearth. Then he called upon the unjika-mui 
< Fire-god) to declare his will. Soon the footsteps of the god were heard; they came 
Dp to the side of the tusngum; the wands showed signs of restlessness and struck 
tli< mat on which they were placed. Two raps signified permission; a scraping or 
rubbing w;is an unfavorable augury." 

lonel Henry Yule, The Book of Ser Marco Polo, London, 1871, I, p. 213. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



819 



other. P. Delia Valid II. 865-866) describe the same process, conducted by a Moham- 
medan conjuror of Aleppo: ' By his incantations he made the four points of the arrows 
come together without any movement of the holders, and by the way the points 
spontaneously placed themselves, obtained answers to interrogatories.' And Mr. 
Jseshke writes from Lahanl : • There are many different ways of divination practiced 
among the Buddhists; and that also mentioned by Marco Polo is known to our Lama, 
but in a slightly different way, making use of two nrrons. instead of a cane split up. 
wherefore this kind i- called da-mo arrow divination ;.' Indeed, the practice is not 
extinct in India, for in 1833 Mr. Vigne (I. 46 witnessed its application to detect the 
robber of a government chest at Lodiana. 

It will be observed that in three of the examples the sticks or twius 
are replaced by arrows. 











Fi_. 135. 
PEBBLES FROM MA- DAZII.. 



In eonclndin°; this examination, reference should be made to the sug- 
gestion by Col. Garrick Mallery that the colored pebbles found in the 
grotto of Mas d'Azil. in the department of Ariege, Prance, were used in 

gaming. 

Only one face of these pebbles bears a design (tijr. 135). Colonel Mal- 
lery says : 

To an observer familiar with the gambling games of the North American Indians, 
in which marked plum-stone> and similar objects ire employed, tl tied flat 

pebbles at once suggest their use to suggest values in a game by the several eeigns 

and by the pebbles falling on the figured or on the unmarked -id. . 

1 Tenth Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, p. : 
B £dJPiette, Les galets colories du Mas-d'azil. [/Anthropologic, VII 



820 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



6. Suing Kun T'6. "The Game of the Promotion of Officials." Can- 

ton, China. 

Board 1 and Dice. 2 A celebrated Chinese game, best known through 
Dr. Hyde's account as "the Game of the Promotion of Mandarins," 
played by two or more persons upon a large paper diagram, upon which 
are printed the titles of the different officials under the Chinese Gov- 
ernment. Four dice are thrown, and the players advance through the 
various grades according to their throws. 3 

This complicated game may be regarded as a modification of the Nyout 
circuit, the dice replacing the staves. Its line of descent is indicated 
by the corresponding Korean game, which follows. 

7. Tjyong-KyenGt-To. The Game of Dignitaries. Korea. 

(a) VVooden die. 4 

(b) Reproduction of native picture of players engaged at the game. 5 
(Plate 24.) 

The Korean form of the Chinese game of Shing kun Po. A long five- 
sided wooden die (fig. 136), with its edges notched with strokes from 

one to five, is employed, in- 
stead of cubical dice. 

I regard the use of this 
die as older than that of 
cubical dice, and the die 
itself to have been derived 
from the four staves, such 
as are employed in layout. 
This implement furnishes a 
connecting link with the 
spinning die or teetotum 
(fig. 137), which, notched 
like it, is also used in Korea in the same game. 

The diagram for the game in the University Museum (Cat. No. 17626; 
is written in Chinese characters upon a sheet of white Korean paper 
234 by 37J inches. This is divided by lines into one hundred and eight 
(9 by 12) rectangles, in each one of which is the title of a Korean official, 
with the indication beneath it for the next move, accordingly as the 
throw is from one up to five. Auother Korean game (Cat. No. 17699) in 
the same museum, played in the same manner with the same kind of die 
upon a sheet of paper of the same size, is entitled Xam-seung-to (Chi- 
nese, lam shing to), or " View- winning game." The sheet is divided 
by lines into one hundred and forty-four squares (9 by 16), within 




Fig. 136. 
TJYONG-KYENG-TO. 

Length, 4 inches. 
Korea. 

Cat. No. 175600, U.S.N.M. 



1 (at. No.169333, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 
-Cat. NO. 152548, U.S.N.M. 

I 'i scribed at length in Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, Report U. S. 
Nat Mus., 1893, p. 504. 

■ I . Xo. 175660, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Cnlin. 
Stewart Culin, Korean Games. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 24. 







Koreans Playing Tjyong-Kyeng-To. 
From painting by native artist, reproduce I in Korean Qames. 



Report o' U. S. Nationa 1 Museum, 1836. — Culin. 



Plate 25. 




Divinatory Diagram. 

Tibet. 
After Schlagintweit. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



821 




z 

6 






■A 



Fig. 137. 

TJYOXG-KYENG-TO. 

Length, H inches. 

Korea. 

Cat. No. 17627, Museum of 
Archaeology, University 
of Pennsylvania. 

seven of the 



which are written the names of places throughout Korea famous for 

beauty of scenery. 1 Still another Korean game (Gat. No. 17628) of this 

type in the University .Museum is known as the " Monk's tjyong-kyeng-tof 

and is intended for the purpose of giving instruction in 

the religion of Buddhism. The sheet, which measures 

about 12 inches square, is inscribed with a diagram, the 

inner part of which is divided into one hundred and 

sixty-nine squares (13 by 13). These contain the names 

of the various conditions of existence, advancing from 

the lowest forms through the eighteen Brahmalokas, to 

the goal, which is Nirvana. 

It is. in fact, a Buddhist game of Promotion. The 
moves are made according to the throws with three 
small wooden dice (fig. 138), each inscribed on its six 
sides with the magic formula: Nam mo o ni fo fat 
(Xamah Amitdbha). Under each name 
is written the place of the next move, 
according to the throw. The name 
at the top of the sheet is in Sanskrit 
characters, which are also written on 
squares, while the remainder of the text is in Chinese. 2 
An interesting parallel to this game is to be found 
in the French Jen Moral et Instructif 
the goal of which is Paradise. 

This last described Korean game 
suggests a likely explanation of certain 
Tibetan divination tables figured by 
Schlagintweit. :! 
One of these (Plate 25) forms part of a great roll in- 
scribed with other divinatory diagrams. It is divided 
into squares, of which those in the upper corners, left 
and right, bear, respectively, pictures of the Bodhi- 
sattva Manjusri, and the sword of wisdom, the emblem 
of his knowledge. Of the remaining sixty squares one- 
half are inscribed with religious emblems and the 
others, placed immediately beneath, with Tibetan words 
which in greater part were illegible. The assumption 
that the diagram is intended for a divinatory game. 
like the Korean Buddhist game above referred to, is supported by 
much corroborative evidence. Thus, on page 320 we find the following 



Fig. 138. 

KOREAN DIE FOR 
BUDDHIST GAME. 

I'J'y AbyAinch. 
Wiim 

of Archaeology, Univer- 
sity ef Pennsylvania. 




Fig. 139. 

PIE USED WITH DI- 
VINATORV DIA- 
GRAM. 

Tibet. 
Reproduced from de- 
scription by Sobbv 
gintweit. 

Cat. No. 1*4'.':. Museum 
of Archeology, Univer- 
sity "f Prnns\ Ivanta. 



1 For which the Koreans have a passion, making excursions tor the sake of the 
scenery to celebrated sites. 

-That is, Chinese transcriptions and explanations of the Sanskrit names. A 

detailed account of the game is being prepared by the writer. 
3 Buddhism in Tibet. 



822 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



4. 




rules for using a si in liar diagram, with the title, " Directions for finding 
out the due answers:" 

1. "Begin to count the terrestrial fortress from the celestial king." 
(Manjusri). 
3. "Count the water from the tiger." 
"Count the earth from the tiger," etc. 

Here Ave have the rules. The die according to which 
the count was made was doubtless the one (fig. 139) 
of which the faces are represented upon the same roll. 
The pictured squares contain devices of birds, animals, 
etc., labeled good, middling, or bad. The words be- 
neath may indicate possibly the place of the next move, 
as in the Korean game. 

8. Ch'e Me. Teetotum. 1 China. 

Prismatic die with six faces, marked so that the sum 
of each of the opposite faces equals seven, the spots 
being marked like Chinese dice, Xo. 19. Spun by 
means of a bamboo pin passing through the middle. 

This implement has its counterpart in the East In- 
dian ckulcree, which is used in a similar game played 
on a diagram marked like six faces of a die. The 
ehuJcree is said to be used only at the Divali Festival, 
which occurs in November, when gambling is per- 
mitted. A parallel is seen in the four-sided teetotum, 
which Jewish children in Germany and Russia play 
with during the eight days at Purim, or the Feast of Lots. This 
die (fig. 140) bears upon its sides the Hebrew letters: shin, nun, he, 
gimel. They are playfully regarded as standing for the German words 
stell, "put;" nichts, "nothing;" halb, "half;" ganz, "all." Prof. Leo 
Weiner informs me that the letters are in- 
tended for the phrase: sham nes hay a gddol, 
" there wonder great has happened." Prof. 
Weiner writes : 

The name of the wiirfel is dredl (draidle), which is 
a diminutive of dreher, turner, twister. This latter 
word is used exclusively for the turning rattle of 
wood or metal used on the same holiday, as the chil- 
dren say, u to turn Hainan,'' i. e., to drown him, or 
disgrace him in the noise. The manner of making 
is as follows: A block of wood, generally a round 
stick or part of a twig, is cut lengthwise into four 
parts; the inner edges are shaved off to admit the 
molti d lead which thus forms the stem of the dredl. 

The form of the dredl, with its letters on each face, is cut on the flat sides of each 
part; then the four parte are put together, after heing tied with a cord and are 
placed in sand or into the ground, and the metal is i>oured into the mould. 



Fig. 140. 
teetotum {wurfel) 

USED BY JEWISH 
CHILDREN AT PURIM. 

Height, 2 inches. 

Original in possession 
of Dr. Herhert 
Friedenwald. 




Fig. 141. 

LONG LAWRENCE. 

Length, 3 inches.* 

Ahnonclbury, England. 

Reproduction from description by 
Mrs. Gomme. 

From Korean games. 



iCat. No. 169324, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. Chinese Games with Dice 
and Dominoes, fig. 3, Keport U. S. Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 496. 



I If ESS AND PLATING-CARDS. ^23 

9. Long Lawrence. 1 Wooden die (fig. 141). Almondbury. England. 
Reproduction from description given by Mrs. (Joinine.- This die is 

described in Easther's Almondbury Glossary, quoted by Mrs. Gomme, 
under the name of Lang Lawrence, that is "Long Lawrence," as an 

instrument marked with signs, a sort of teetotum. 

A "Long Lawrence" is about three inches long, something like a short ruler v ith 

eight sides; occasionally they have but four. On one side are ten X's or cro- 

forming a kind of latticework; on the next 

to the left, three double cuts or strokes, / CT ^.^ _ ^ ^.^, ^ A 

passing straight across in the direction of F^?^7f::Y£v^ 7T -"^ 

the breadth; on the third a zig zag of three / ..."~."..T~.-.-, ..."•- - zm < Ulh 

strokes one way and two or three the other, ^/^^f^^^^^^^-^^^^^wm 

forming a W, with an additional stroke or *~ - « ^_l^mx" --"--■ ■-_. - ^j~;^zm ^W 

triple V; on the fourth, three single bars, "" 

Fig. 142. 
one at each end and one in the middle, as in 

,, . .. , . , , ,- , . ,. LOG. IVORY DIE. 

>o, 2, where they are doubled : then the four 

j ,. ,1 -i rr\ Length, 2J inches. 

devices are repeated in the same order. Ihe 

game, formerly popular at Christmas, can nitet ^ tate *- 

L. i , i /■ -i* i Cat. No. 7134, Museum of Archaeology, University of Penn- 

c plaved bv auv number ot persons. Lach , . 

has a bank of pins or other small matters. 

A pool is formed: then in turn each rolls the "Long Lawrence." If Xo. 1 comes up 

the player cries " flush, " and takes the pool; ifXo. 2, he puts down two pins; if No. 

3. he s.iys "lave all,'' and neither takes nor gives; if Xo. 4, he picks up one. The 

sides are considered to bear the names "Flush," "Put doan two,"' "Lave all," '• Sam 

ap one.'" It has been suggested that the name "Lawrence" may have arisen from 

the marks scored on the instrument, not unlike the bars of a gridiron on which the 

saint perished. 

The Korean die used in Tjyong-'kyeng-to suggests the probable origin 
of this instrument. 

10. Log. :! Long ivory die, with eight fluted sides marked with spots 

from one to eight (fig. 142). England or United States. 
Used by gamblers in the latter country. The specimen exhibited is 
false, throwing high or low according to the direction in which it is 
held when rolled. Similar to the preceding. 

11. RAMALA Pasa. Dice for fortune-telling. 4 India. 
Reproductions of two varieties, both consisting of square wooden 

prisms,"' about 3 inches in length. One is a single die, marked on its 
four long sides with numerals from one to four; the other, a set of three 
dice, marked in the same maimer with three, four, five, and six spots. 
The custom of telling fortunes with dice is current throughout India, 
where it is practiced as a science under the name of Ramalaf and has 

1 Cat, Xo. 175659, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Colin. 
the Traditional Games of England, Ireland, and Scotland, London, 1894, I. p. 326. 

3 Cat. No. 7134, Mob. Arch.. Univ. Penn. 

* Cat. Xos. 9051, 9052. lias. Arch.. Univ. Penn. 

5 The originals are of red sandalwood. 

"Derived from the Arabic rami isaud). Geomaucy is known by the Arabs as 
ilmu-1-raml, or the science of Band. Upon this sand (for which papei i>. however, 
sometimes substituted), they draw many unequal lines, upon which are disposed a 
certain number of points, from the combinations of which they pretend to foretell 



824 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



an extensive literature. There are several different methods, in all of 
which the dice are used as implements of magie to determine number, 
reference then being had to the pages of a book numbered to correspond. ' 
They agree in general with the Chinese methods of divination with 
arrow-staves. (See ^sos. Go, 69.) 






Fig. 143. 

RAMALA PASA. 

Length, 1| inches. 

Lueknow, India. 

From Proceedings Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Philadelphia. 1891. 

Cut. No. 9046, Museum of Archeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

12. Ramala Pasa. Dice for fortune-telling. 2 Lucknow, India. 

Two sets each of four cubical ivory dice, marked on four sides with 
two, three, and four dots (fig. 143). A rod upon which they revolve 
passes through the center of the unmarked sides and binds them 
together. 

A similar die in the writer's possession, obtained by Professor Hil- 
precht. through' the courtesy of Eev. Albert S. Long, in Constantinople, 
is represented in fig. 144. The dice are strung upon an iron rod, with 

brass knobs at the ends. 
They are of alloy, resem- 
bling copper, and are 
marked in the same man- 
ner as the Hindu set. 

There are two sets, each 
of two pairs of four each, 
of similar metal dice from 
Persia in the Sommerville 
collection (Cat. Xos. 283, 278) in the University Museum. The dice Cat. 
Xo. 283 are entirely of brass, while Cat. Xo. 278, which are smaller, com- 
prise two brass dice with deep holes, set with small pieces of turquoise, 
placed in the middle, and two dice, with incised spots, one next to -each 
knob. Cat Xo. 283 is accompanied by an inscribed brass placque (fig. 
1 15), 31 inches in diameter, with the twelve signs of the Zodiac in the 
outer circles and the seven stars (sun, moon, and five planets) in the inner, 

future events. It is in great credit in the East, many elaborate treatises having 
been written on the subject. It animal, a conjurer in the art of Geomancy. John 
Richardson. Persian, Arabic, and English Dictionary, London, 1806, art. rami. The 
invention of the science is commonly attributed to Edris (the prophet Enoch), and 
also to Daniel. 

An account of Bamala was given by the writer, East Indian Eortune-telling with 
1 lice (Proc. Num. and Ant. Soc. of Phila., 1890-91, p. 65). 
- (. at. No. 9046, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



Fig. 144. 

DICE FOE FORTCXE-TELLIXG. 

Length, 3 T % inches. 
Constantinople, Turkey. 

In the writer's possession. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



825 



and Cat. No. 278 with an octagonal brass placque (fig. 1 16), 3j iuches in 
diameter, with six concentric and thirty-two radial divisions having the 
names of as many oriental cities in the outer row, of conditions of life 
and fortune in the next inner, and personal names in the third row. 

13. Pasa. Long dice. 1 Lucknow, India. 

Square ivory prisms, about 2 inches in length, marked with one, two, 
six, and five spots in concentric circles. The one and six and two and 




Fig. 145. 

BRASS PLACQUE ACCOMPANYING DICE FOR FORTUNE-TELLING. 

Diameter, 3J inches. 
Persia. 

Cat. No. 283. Sommerville collection. Museum of Archaeology, University of 
Pennsylvania. 

five are opposite, and the two and five are red. Used in the game of 
Chausar (No. 40). A similar die was used in Ghaturanga or u Dice 
Chess" (So. 45). 2 

"Cat. No. 7133, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

-On the Hradischt near Stradonitz in Bohemia, which is referred to La line 
period, several hundred longish stick-dice, marked with .concentric circles (dice 
eyes), were found (tig. 147). Of the four longer faces, two opposite ones are broader 
than the two others. The ends are plain, while the long sides are marked three, 
four, five, six, so that the broader faces have three, four, and the narrower ones 
five, six. (Osborne in Mitteil. des Anthropol. Ges.. YYien, X. p. L'.V). quoted from Eth- 
nographische Parallelen und Vergleiehe, Richard Andive. Leipzig, 1SSD, II. p. 101). 
In commenting upon the above find, Osborne states that in North German, Bolstein, 
and Danish finds these stick-dice also appear. These Latter are similar to those of 
Hradischt. but arc; to be distinguished from them, however. i».\ the markings, as 
they mostly only have the spots on the three long sides (with the numbers three, four, 
and six), leaving the fourth side unmarked. He continues that, alter numerous in- 
quiries (in Germany, Holstein, Denmark, and Switzerland ). if at any other place 
entirely similar dice to those found in the Hradischt had been discovered, he received 



826 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



1 regard these long dice as the more or less direct outcome of the 
divining staves. 

14. Astragali (Tali). Knuckle bones. 1 Natural bones from the 
ankle of a sheep. 

Used as dice by the Greeks and Romans, and in common use at the 
present day for the same purpose in the Mohammedan East and in 
Southern Europe and Spanish America. 

Knuckle bones have been used as implements in games from remote 
antiquity. There are several distinct ways in which they are thus 
employed. One was as jackstones, described by classical authors as 




Fig. 146. 

BRASS FLACQUE ACCOMPAXYING DICE FOR FORTUNE-TELLIXG. 

Diameter, 3£ inches. 
Persia. 

Cat. No. 2"s, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. Sommerville 
collection. 

played principally by women and children with five bones, the same 
number employed in modern times. 2 Among the Syrians at the present 
day they are used by children in games resembling marbles, being- 
knocked from a ring drawn on the ground with others, which are some- 
times weighted with lead. 3 A favorite and almost universal use of 
knuckle hones in games was as dice in games of chance. Among the 



a negative answer, except from the museum at Biel (Canton Berne), in which are 
part of the materials of La Tene. This pile dwelling has furnished two stick-dice 
that entirely correspond with those from Hradischt. 

1 Cat. No. 152546, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 

- Used ;it the present day by French children under the name of osselets. 

art Culin, .Syrian games with Knuckle-bones, Pro. Num. and Ant. Soc. of 
Phila.. 1890-91, p. 123. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



827 



Greeks and Romans numerical values were attributed to the four long 
sides, the two pointed ends not being counted. The two broad sides, 
respectively convex and concave, counted three and four, while of the 
narrow sides, the flat counted one and the indented six. The numbers 
two and five were wanting. 1 

Several names, both Greek aud Latin, are recorded for each of the 
throws. 

Two persons played together at this game, using four bones, which they threw 
into the air, or emptied out of a dicebox (fritillus). The numbers on the four sides 
of the four bones admitted of thirty-five different combinations. The lowest Throw 
of all was four aces, but the value of a throw was not in all cases the sum of the 







Fig. 147. 

STICK-DICE. 

Bohemia (Hradiscbt near Stradonitz). 

After Osborne. 

four numbers turned up. The highest in value was that called Venus, in which the 
numbers cast up were all different. Certain other throws were called by particular 
names, taken from gods, illustrious men and women, and heroes. These bones, 
marked aud thrown as above described, wen- also used in divination. 1 

Among the Turks, Arabs, Persians, the four throws with a single 
knuckle bone receive the names of the four ranks of human society. 
Thus, among the Persians, according to Dr. Hyde, they were called as 
follows: 2 

Supinum, Dud:, ''thief." 
Planum, Dilibioi, " peasant." 
Planum, J'e:ir. 
Tortuo8iim, 8hah, 

1 Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, Art. Talus. 
■ Thomas Hyde, De Ludis Orieutahbus, Oxford, lbl»4, p. 147. 



828 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 18%. 



The Arabic name for the bones is hdb (dual. Mbatain, plural, kabat), 
meaning ••ankle." referring- to their source. Two bones are now com- 
monly used— one from the right aud the other from the left leg of a 
sheep. 1 I regard them as the direct ancestors of cubical dotted dice, 
the name of which in Arabic is the same as that of the bones. The dice 
used in Arabic countries are made in pairs (see 3o. 16), and the most 
popular and universal game is one with two dice, Mbatain. 






Fig. 148. 

VALUES OF THE THROWS WITH KNUCKLE BONES. 

Tarahumara Indians. Chihuahua, Mexico. 

(lames with knucklebones are a favorite amusement in Spanish- 
American countries, and it is claimed that they existed among the 
Indians before the discovery. Dr. Carl Lumholtz found them among 
the Tarahumara, 2 who attribute numerical values to the different sides. 

Among the Papago in Arizona Mr. TV J McGee found a single 
knuckle bone of a bison, used in playing a game called Tan-wan, of 
which a specimen collected by him (fig. 149,) is exhibited in the U. S. 
National Museum (Cat. No. 174443). 



1 The favorite game among the Turkomans, according to Varnbery (Arminius Yam- 
bery, Sketches of Central Asia, Philadelphia, 1868, p. 110), is the Ashilc game (ashik, 
the ankle bones of sheep), which is played in the manner of European dice with the 
tour ankle bones of a sheep, aud with a degree of passionate excitement of which 
one can form no idea. The upper part of the bone is called tar a, the lower altchi, and 
th<- two sides yantarap. The player takes these four little bones into the palm of his 
hand, throws them np and receives half the stake, if two lava or two altchi, and the 
whole of the stake, if all four tava or altchi turn up. 

The advantage to be gained arises entirely from dexterity in throwing. Trickery 
is impossible, since the bones are frequently changed. 

Dr. Karl Himly (Die abteilung der Spielein Spiegel der mandschu-sprache, T'oung 
Pao, VI, p. 355) gives the Manchuname of knuckle bone a&gaduxa. It would appear 
from his account that several games were known corresponding to those described 
h\ the author as played by Syrian children. One. played by children, in which the 
bones woe employed as jackstones; another in which they were used as dice, and a 
third filliping a knuckle bone at something or throwing at a knuckle bone set in the 
ground. The Chinese name of knuckle bone is piii shik kwat (pei si ku). 

I 1"\ call the game Tu witui wa la. They play with two knucklebones. The 
counts are >ho\vn in fig. 148. In addition to these counts, if a bone stands on its 
pointed end it counts six, and on the end opposite, twelve. 

Twelve points constitute* a game. The specimens collected by Dr. Lumholtz are 
in the American Museum of Natural History (Cat. No. -y-JV). 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



82!) 





The game is played by two persons, who sit facing each other, 4 or 5 
feet apart. The bone is twirled into the air out of the thumb and fore- 
finger, the back of the hand being held upward. The position in which 
it falls on the ground controls the count in the game. So long as the 
player succeeds in throwing the pitted side, or u cow-hoof, r as it is called, 
upward, he retains possession of the bone, and with each throw wins one 
bean from a prearranged number equally 
divided between the players. The sides do 
not count in the play, and the thrower may 
play again and again without forfeiting the 
bone until he throws the flat side (opposite 
the " cow-hoof") upward, when the bone goes 
to his opponent to throw, with the same 
conditions. The winning of the entire num- 
ber of an opponent's counters constitutes a 
game won. 

In Costa Rica, Dr. T. M. Calnek informs 
me that the Indians in the vicinity of San 

Jose continually play with the astragalus of an ox or cow, using a 
single bone. They call the game by the name of Choque suelo. 

They are also used by the Indians in Peru. Their Quichua name, 
tava, would appear to be derived from the Spanish taba, but this is con- 
trary to the opinion entertained by my informant, Dr. Emilio Alontez, 1 
who exhibited a prehistoric copy of a knuckle bone in terra cotta, from 
Cuzco, in his collection at the Columbian Exposition. 2 






Fig. 149. 

ASTRAGALUS OK BISON USED AS DIE. 

Papago Indians. Pima County, 

Arizona. 

Cat. No. 174443, O.S.N.MT. 





Fig. 150. 

ASTRAGALUS USED IN GAMB. 

Lengua Indians. 

Cat. No. ]':>',, Field Colombian Museum. Haasler collection. 

There are nine astragalus bones from the Lengua tribe, Chaco 
Indians, in the Hassler collections from Paraguay, in the Field Coluin 
bian Museum. Prof. William H. Holmes, who courteously famished 
me with the accompanying drawing (fig. 150), informed me that all but 
one bear scratched lines, as represented. 

Knuckle bones of various animals, some worked and showing wear, 
have been found associated with Indian remains in various parts of the 
United States. Mr. Clarence P>. Moore found a fossil llama astragalus 
in a mound on Murphy Island, Putnam County, Florida, and a lame 
fossil astragalus, not yet identitied. in a mound on Ossabow [aland, 



1 Dr. Moure/ tells me that of the four ways in which m knuckle bone may fall, two 
do not count, while one of the others wins and one lo 
-Cat. Xo. 340, Field Colnmbian Mnseuni, Chicago. Monte/ collection. 



S30 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Bryan County, Georgia. Mr. William W. Adams found knuckle bones 
in stone graves opened by him in Williamson County, Tennessee. Thirty 
or forty bones were found in perhaps a hundred graves. They were 
always found in pots. Children's graves contained smaller pots, and 
the bone was smaller, evidently from a small animal. Some were worn 
until nearly smooth on the side, and all showed polish as though they 
had been carried or used a long time. A number of specimens from 
mounds are contained in the IT. S. National Museum, as Cat. No. 63047, 
astragalus of bison from a mound, Pecan Point, Mississippi County, 
Arkansas, and Cat. No. 63047a, astragalus of deer from same place, 
both collected by Mr. Edward Palmer. Three specimens (Cat. No. 
61621) are from Lyons County, Kentucky; two others (Cat. No. 91145) 
catalogued from Arkansas, are respectively of deer and bison; another 
(Cat. No. 169518) is from Lepanto, Poinsett County, Arkansas. Some 
of these bones are squared, so as to have six instead of four sides, many 
are more or less cut down, and one is partly calcined. Mr. Cushing found 
a number of knuckle bones of deer, several showing high polish from 
long use, in the muck deposit explored by him at Marco, Florida. 

In England knuckle bones were formerly used in games. 1 A single 
bone was tossed and the four sides received, according to Dr. Hyde, 
the following names: 2 

Supinum, "Putin." 
Pronum, "Blank." 
Planum, "Take half." 
Tortuosum, "Take all." 

These terms sufficiently explain the method of play. 

1 De Ludis Oriental ibus, p. 142. 

2 Under the head of Cockall, Brand (Observation on Popular Antiquities, London, 
1813, II, p. 288) gives the following account: 

In the English translation of Levinus Leinnius, fol. London, 1658, p. 368, we read: 
"The antients used to play Cockall or casting of huckle hones, which is done 
with smooth sheep bones. The Dutch call them Pickelen, wherewith our young 
maids that are not yet ripe use to play for a husband, and young married folks 
despise these as soon as they are married. But young men use to contend with 
another with a kind of a bone taken forth of oxe-feet. The Dutch call them Coten, and 
they play with these at a set time of the year. Moreover Cockals, which the Dutch 
call Teelings, are different from dice, for they are square with four sides, and dice 
have six. Cockals are used by maids amongst us, and do no ways waste any one's 
estate. For either they pass away the time with them, or if they have time to be 
idle they play for some small matter, as for chestnuts, filberds, pins, buttons, and 
some such 'juncats.' 

"In Langley's Abridgment of Polydor Vergile, fol. 1, we have another description 
of Ihis game: 'There is a game that is played with Ihe posterne bone in the hynder 
foote of a sheepe, oxe, gote, fallowe, or redde dere, whiche in Latin is called Talus. It 
hath foure chaunces, the ace point, that is named Canis, or Canicula, was one of the 
sides. He that cast itleyed douneapeny or so muche as the gamers were agreed on; 
the other 3ide was called Venus, that signifieth seven. He that cast the chaunce won 
sixc and ;ill that was layd doune for the castyng of Canis. The two other sides were 
called Chius and Senio. He that did thro we Chius wan three. And he that cast 
gained four. This game (as I take it) is used of children in Northfolke, and 




CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 831 

15. Astragali. 1 Glass, ancient. 

Copies in glass of natural knuckle bones for use in games. Of very 
common occurrence among the remains of classical antiquity. Bronze 
astragali are found (tig. 151), and they are also recorded to have been 
made of ivory and agate. 

16. Kabatain. Dice. 2 Lucknow, India. 

Cubes of ivory regularly marked — that is, the six and one, five and 
two, and four and three opposite, so that their sum is equal to seven. ' 
The spots are arranged so that the two dice are each the complement of 
the other. The "fours" are inscribed in red. The 
spots consist of small circles with an interior dot, 
the customary manner of marking Indian dice, 
which agrees in this respect with those of ancient 
Koine. 

17. Kubos. Die. 4 Ancient Greek. Naucratis, 
Egypt, about 600 B. C. F ^^ 

An irregular cube with rounded sides about an bronze astragalus. 
inch square. The material is limestone, with drilled Length, i,\, inches. 
holes for pips. Found by Prof. W. M. Flinders Cat - No - 949 > Son "» e " ille c ° llec - 

Hon. Museum of Archaeology, 
Petrie in 1885. S University of Pennsylvania. 

It is said that no traces of cubical dotted dice 
have been discovered in Egypt in the purely Egyptian period, but they 
occur in the Delta from the time of Psammetichus I (about 670 B. C). 
They are regarded by scholars as a foreign introduction. 

In the British museum there are two dice of glazed baked clay 
from Assyria, found with tablets of Assurbanipal (668-6i , 3 B. C.) at 
Kouyunjik. 

As the glaze of the dice is unlike that of Assyrian pottery, and from 
the fact that the mounds at Niuevah were occupied by a Parthian 
village about 200 B. C, Mr. Pinches concluded that the dice proba 

they call it the Channce Bone; they playe with three or foure of those hones together; 
it is either the same or very lyke to it." 

In a note Brand states: " In The Sanctuarie of Salvation, etc., translated from the 
Latin of Levinns Lemnins by Henry Kinder, 8vo., Lond., pr. by H. Singleton, p. 
144, we read these bones are called hackle-bones oreoytes.'* 

'Cat. No. 16488, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. Chinese Games with Diee and Domini 
fig. 31, Report U. S. Nat. Mus., 1893. p. 536. 

2 Cat. No. 7115, Mns. Arch., Univ. l'enn. Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, 
fig. 27, Report U. S. Nat. Mns., 1893, p. 534. 

3 Almost the invariable arrangement, the principal exceptions being the Etruscan 
and Korean dice. The only other known to the writer are the Hindu dice Nos. II. 
12) used in fortune telling, and the dice employed in the Burmese game of dominoes 
(No. 24). 

■'Cat. No. 168983a, U.S.N.M., from original, Cat, No. 17575, Mns. of Lroh., Univ. l'enn. 
Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, fig. 28, Report U. 8. Nat. Mns., L893, p. 534. 

6 A somewhat similar die from Naukratis in the British Museum has leaden points 
projecting from the holes, as if the die had been left unfinished. The dots forming 
the three are arranged „* #l in the same manner as upon the above. 



832 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

bly belonged to this or a later period. I am told by Dr. Morris Jastrow 
rliar do word for dice lias yet been discovered in the cuneiform. 

is. TESSERAE. 1 Dice. Ancient Roman or Etruscan. Purchased in 
Florence, Italy. 

Cubes of bone,- about an inch square, regularly marked, the pips 
consisting of concentric circles. As is frequently the case with Roman 
dice, these dice are made of a hollow bone, the openings on two opposite 
sides being stopped with bone plugs. Several of the Roman dice in the 
University Museum are stained a greenish color with salts of copper. 

Three tesserae or cubical dice were anciently employed, while four 
tali or knuckle bones were used. It is recorded, however, that as early 
as the time of Eustathius the modern practice of using two dice instead 
of three had been established. 3 

In order to prevent cheating, dice were cast into conical beakers 
pyrgus, turricula), the interior of which was formed of different steps. 
A parallel to this is found in the Siamese backgammon, Saka, where the 
dice are thrown into the hrabok. 4 

The classical games with dice, of which accounts have come down to 
us, were chiefly played in connection with a board or table (abacus, 
tab nit i. a (ve H.s. alveolus), on which pieces or men were moved according 
to the throws. These pieces were round or oval stones (calculi), or 
later, draftsmen (Jatrunculi). just, as with us, the same men are used 
for draughts and backgammon. 

Professor Lanciani" states that the one hundred and more gaming- 
tables (tabulae lusoria) found in Rome, mostly during his lifetime, belong 
to six different games of hazard. In some of them, the mere chance of 
dice-throwing was coupled with a certain amount of skill in moving 
the "men? or tesserae. Their outline is always the same. There are 
horizontal lines at equal distance, each line containing twelve signs, 
thirty-six in all. The sigus vary in almost every table; there are 
circles, squares, vertical bars, leaves, letters, monograms, crosses, cres- 
cents, and immodest symbols; the majority of these tables (sixty-five) 



• aste \... U>89*3/>. U.S.X.M., from originals Cat. Xo. 15781, Mus. Arch., Univ. 
Penn. Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, fig. 29, Report U. S. Nat. Mus., 

A great variety of materials have been used for dice. Among seventy dice, exhi- 
bited in a case in the Greek and Roman section of the British Museum, the mate- 
rials are divided as follows: 

Bone or ivory... 32 Jet 2 Greenstone 1 Marble 1 

Bronae 11 Meteoric iron. . . 1 6-ray stone 1 Amber 1 

5 Pyrites 1 Black stone 1 Baked clay 1 

Rock crystal 4 Copper 1 Qoarts 1 Porcelaiu 1 

Onyx 3 Lead 1 Alabaster 1 

A i ined wood, especially privet, is recorded as having been employed for 

dice. (Smith's Dictionary of Greek ami Roman Antiquities. Art. Tessera.) 

Idem. 

I fa ilea I tames with Dice and Dominoes, fig. 9, Report U. s. Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 501. 

Rndolfo Lanciani. Gambling and Cheating in Ancient Rome, The North Ameri- 
can Review, July. 18^2. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 833 

contain words arranged so as to make a fiill sentence with thirty-six 
letters. The rules of the games played upon these tables are as yet 
only conjectural. 

The game of Duodecim scripta, i; twelve lines," was substantially the 
same as our backgammon. It was played upon a board with twelve 
double lines, with fifteen white and fifteen black men; the throws were 
counted as we count them; the M blots " might be captured; the pieces 
(whether they started from home or not) had to be brought home, and 
the winner was he who first cleared off his men. The principal varia- 
tion from the modern game lies in three dice being employed instead 
of two, agreeing in this respect with the game of Pachisi (So. 38). 
According to Heroditus 1 games with dice (including also knuckle- 
bones and ball) were invented by the Lydians as a diversion during a 
time of famine, that they might not feel the craving for food. 

19. Shik Tsai. 2 Dice. China. 

Cubes of bone, regularly marked, but differing from those of India 
in having both the "ones" and "fours" marked in red; the "one" spots 
larger than the others, and in all the spots being simple round marks, 
without circumscribed circles. They are not made in pairs, and are 
usually sold in sets of six. 

The Chinese play a great variety of dice-games, the principal one 
being with two dice, and known as Chdl' f in l-au, "Throwing Heavens 
and yines," from the names of the two highest throws. In this game 
the twenty-one throws that can be made with two dice receive different 
names, and are divided into two series or suites, called man. •• civil." 
and mo, "military." 

The eleven Man throws in the order of their rank are: 

"Double six,*' called fin, "Heaven.'' 

"Double one," called ti, "Earth." 

"Double four," called yan, "Man.'' 

"One, three," called ico, "Harmony.'' 

"Double five," called mui, "pluui flower." 

"Double three," called chtung sdm, "long threes." 

"Double two,'' eattedjMfa tang, "bench." 

'•Five, six,'' called fa fau, "tiger's head." 

u Four, six," called hung fau shap, "rod head ten." 

"One, six," called kb ktuk ts'at, ''long leg seven." 

••One. live," called hung ch'ui Ink, "red mallet six." 

The ten Mo throws in the order of their rank are: 

"Five, four," and "six. three.'' called kau, "nil! 

•• Five, three," and u six. two." called prff, " eights." 

"Five, two," and "four, three," called is at, "seven-." ■ 

"Four, two," called luk, "six." 

"Three, two," and "four, one," called 'ng, "five! 

"One, two," called nam, "three," or sum kai, "three final." 

1 Book 1, Chap. 94. 

- Cat. No. 132548, U.S.X.M. Gift of Stewart Cnlin. Chi »nd 

Dominoes, fig. 1, Report D. B. Nat. Mus., 1803. p. 
NAT MUS 96 53 



83-4 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

The antiquity of dice in China is not known. They appear to have 
been introduced into that country from India. It will be observed that 
a cosmical significance is attached to the dice throws, the "six" being 
called "Heaven," and its opposite, "one," "Earth." The "four" 
between is designated as "Man." x 

Korean dice, called tjyousa-a, differ from those of China in having 
the 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and G opposite. . A set in the University 
Museum, collected by Dr. E. B. Landis, are marked with plain black 
dots, arranged like the Hindu Mbatain, to form a pair. A single 
Korean die (fig. 152), in the same museum, is a rectangular prism, fiat 
instead of square. The arrangement of the dots is the same, but the 
" one" and the " four" is in red, as well as the two middle spots of the 
" six" and the middle spot of the " five" and of the u three." 
It is interesting to note that the arrangement of the dots on the 

Korean dice is the same as that on some of 

z the Etruscan dice. 2 A peculiar importance 

^ is attached to the latter, from the fact that 

s it is believed by Etruscologists that the first 

six numerals of the Etruscan language have 

rig. 152. been recovered from a pair of dice exhumed 

korean die. in 1848 near Toscanella. 3 These dice, now in 

cat. no 17606, Museum of Arc^oiogy, tlie Cabinet of Medals and Antiques in the 

University of Pennsylvania. ■«■ 

National Library, Paris, bear, instead of the 
usual pips or dots, the following words in Etruscan letters: Mach, 
Thu, Iluth, Ki, Zal 5 Sa. These words have been variously interpreted 
by scholars upon the assumption that they are numerals, and also that 
the pips which they are supposed to replace were uniformly arranged 
1 + 3, 2 + 4, 5 + 6 (Oampanari's law). Comparison of the Etruscan 
dice words with the numerals used in the Korean game of Nyout, a 
comparison suggested by the fact of the agreement of the Korean and 
Etruscan dice in their dissimilarity from other dice, shows a curious 
correspondence. 




Korean stave-game numerals: 


Etruscan dice names : 


1. To or ta. 


•Thu. 


2. Kai or Kd. 


Ki. 


3. Eel or Kol. 


Zal. 


4. Nyout or ute. 


Ruth. 


5. Mo. 


Mach. 


6. 


Sa. 



1 Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, Eeport U. S. Nat. Mas., 1893, p. 494. 

Ajnong i lie dice in the British Museum regarded as Etruscan, which vary in "their 
pips from the regular arrangement (that is, 1 + 6, 2 + 5, 3 + 4), three have 1+2, 
3 + 4, 5 + 6, and three 1 + 3, 2 + 4, 5 + 6. What appears to he a set of three dice, 
made of amber, have one marked 1 + 2, 3 + 4, 5 + 6; one 1 + 3, 2 + 4, 5 + 6, and 
one regular, 1 + 6, 2 + 5, 3 + 4. Two iron dice (Cat. No. 15786) in the University 
Museum, puri shafted at Perugia, have their dots arranged 1 + 3, 2 + 4, 5-J-6. 

Daniel G. Brinton, The Ethnologic Affinities of the Ancient Etruscans, Proc. 
Amer Philos. Soc, Philadelphia, XXVI, 1887, p. 522. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



835 



From the fact of the nyout numerals being in all probability derived 
from an Ural-Altaic stock, their correspondence with the dice words 
would seem to support Canon Isaac Taylors ' theory of the Tgiic origin of 
the Etruscans. It should be observed, however, that if the words stand 
for numerals they are not paired 2 in either of the ways (1 4- 3, 2 + 4, 
5 -f 6, or 1 + 2, 3+4, 5 -f G) in which Etruscan dice are marked. 3 
The doubt as to their being numerals is reinforced by the Korean die 
inscribed with the prayer to Buddha (p. 821). 

20. Sai. Dice, 4 Japan. Pair of plaster dice for Sugorolcu (Xo. 2S). 

Japanese dice are similar to those of China, from which country they 
were doubtless borrowed. The " fours" are sometimes, but not invari- 
ably, marked in red. The 
most popular game is 
Sugorolcu (So. 28). 

Before leaving the sub- 
ject of dice it maybe ob- 
served that cubical dot- 
ted dice do not appear 
to have been known to 
the American tribes be- 
fore the time of the con- 
quest. At the same time 
mention should be made 
of a die of steatite found 
with Indian remains at 
Kiokee Creek, Columbia 
County, Georgia, in the 
collection of Dr. Roland 

Steiner, in the United States jSTational Museum (Cat. Xo. 172563). It 
consists of a rudely cut square prism of steatite about "; inch in length. 
Two of the opposite longer sides are marked with six and four pits and 
two with live and three. One of the ends has two and the other what is 
doubtless intended for one dot. The pips are irregularly disposed. It 
no doubt dates from the time of white contact. 




Fig. 153. 

ETRUSCAN TRIPLICATE DIE. 

Length, 3J inches. 

Cliiiibi. 

.Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



'Etruscan Researches, Loudon, 1874. 

°"Mach is opposite Zal, Thu is opposite Huih, and hi is opposite 8a." Robert 
Ellis, Etruscan Numerals, London, 1876. 

: Since the above was written the writer Las acquired an Etruscan triplicate 1 
die (fig. 153; found in Chiusi or its vicinity, on which the dots arc arranged differs 
ently from any thus far noticed by him. The (5 is h<g;e opposite the I. and 6 oppo- 
site 3. One of* the ends is marked 1 and the other 2. The spots are marked wiih 
small dotted circles which retain traces of red paint. It has been B ggested that 
these triplicate dice, which are not infrequent, are unfinished and have yet to 
be sawed apart. It is evident from this specimen that snch is not the case. Tiny 
bear a strong general resemblance to the Ramalapdsd, or dice used in fortune-telling, 
among which we find three cubical dice united b\ a metal bar, and again, in anothor 
variety used in India, the same arrangement of spots: 3, 4, 5, <> on ;l long die. 
p. 824.) 

*Cat. No. 7143, Mus. Arch., Univ. l'euu. 



836 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

21. Kwat P'al 1 " Bone tablets," dominoes. Canton, China. 

Set of thirty-two domino pieces of teak wood 2§ inches by g- inch by 
| inch. Natural wood, with incised spots painted white and red. 

Chinese dominoes are marked in the same manner as the dice, from 
which they are clearly derived. There are twenty-one distinct pieces, 
representing the permutations of two dice. Eleven of these pieces are 
doubled, making a total of thirty-two in the set. Each piece received 
a name, and in the popular game of Td Pin Jean, or " Heavens and 
Fines," the thirty-two pieces are divided into two suites or series, called 
Man, "civil," and Mo, "military." 

The Man pieces are as follows : 

£, called fin, "Heaven." 

}, called ti, "Earth." 

\, called yan, "Man." 

£, called wo, "Harmony." 

f, called miii, "plum flower." 

§, called cheung sam, "long threes." 

f, called pan tang, "bench." 

f, called fd fau, "tiger's head." 

£, called hung fau shap, "red-head ten." 

f, called Jcb Jceuk ts'at, " long-leg seven." 

f 3 called hung ch'ui lulc, "red-mallet six." 

Each of the above pieces is duplicated, the duplicates mating. 
The Mo pieces : 

£ and \, called chi tsiin, "supreme." 
f and f, called tsdp Tcau, " heterogeneous nines." 
f and §, called tsdp pat, "heterogeneous eights." 
| and |, called tsdp ts'at, "heterogeneous sevens." 
\ and |, called tsdp 'ng, " heterogeneous fives." 

They mate as above. The two pieces called chi tsiin, or "supreme," 
when paired rank as the highest of the Mo series, but when apart, as 
the lowest. 

The game of Td fin Tcau is in manv respects the most interesting 
Chinese domino game. It somewhat resembles the card games of 
Europe, and is of considerable antiquity in China, existing, according 
to Mr. Wilkinson, 2 in 1120 A. D. 

The invention of the game of dominoes has been variously attributed 
to the Jews, the Greeks, and the Chinese. It may be justly credited to 
the latter people. No date can be assigned to its invention, and from 
the cosmical associations of the pieces, and their use in divination, which 
continues in China to the present day, it may be regarded as having 
been originally used for*that purpose. That dominoes originated in 
dice is clearly apparent, the chief problem being the reason for the 
duplication of the eleven pieces. With the knowledge derived from 
the study of games in general, this maybe assumed to have been done 

1 Cat. No. 131397, U.S.N.M. Gift of Mrs. J. K. Yan Rensselaer. Chinese Games 
with Dice and Dominoes, fig. 18, Report U. S.Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 510. 

2 Chinese Origin of Playing-Cards, American Anthropologist, January, 1895. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



837 



in order that the dice throws might accord with the thirty-two points 
that represent the Four Quarters and the intermediary divisions of the 
world. They may be looked upon as having been implements of magic 
for determining number and place, corresponding with playing cards, 
from which they only differ in material, as Mr. Wilkinson has suggested. 1 
In addition to the long wooden dominoes, small dominoes, made of 
bamboo, or bone, or wood and bone conjoined like those of Korea, are 
used in various parts of China. Sets in which the series is several 
times duplicated also occur in China, as well as dominoes on which the 
dots are replaced by the characters that stand for the chess pieces, and 
the suit marks of certain Chinese playing-cards. 2 









W 



Fig. 154. 

DOMINO CARDS. 

Length, 3$ inches. 
China. 

From W. H. Wilkinson, Chinese Origin of Playing Cards, The American Anthropologist, January, 1895. 
Cat. No. 27, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. Wilkinson collection. 

22. Tim chi P'li. "Dotted paper tablets." Domino playing cards. 3 
Hankow, China. 
Set of eighty-four cards, 3-g inches by 1 inch, with rounded corners 
and red backs, consisting of the twenty-one natural dominoes of the 
Chinese series, quadrupled (fig. 154). 

J The writer is inclined to believe that in the assignment of the dice casts to the 
thirty-two points, they were iirst practically applied to as many divining slips or 
arrow lots, consisting of long, narrow strips of bamboo. Such objects occur at the 
present day in the sot-called chid p'tii, or "leaping tablets," of which a set from Fuh- 
chan exists in the Museum of the Long Island Historical Society. They consist of 
thirty-two slips of bamboo, about 14 inches in length, with domino spots marked at 
one end, contained in a cylindrical bamboo box from which they are thrown, resem- 
bling the Ts'im ii (No. 69). 

2 For a detailed account of Chinese dominoes, consult Mr. Wilkinson's catalogue in 
Official Catalogue of Exhibits, World's Columbian Exposition, Department M. An- 
thropological Building, Chicago, 1893. 

3 Cat. No. 27, Mus. Arch., Univ. Peuu. "Wilkinson collection. 



838 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



These cards are designated by the collector, Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, 
as Pdt fin lean from tlieir being used in the game of THn lcatc. Several 
varieties of domino cards occur in China. The evolution of playing 
cards from dice througli the wooden domino seems at first sight to be 
clearly apparent, but the true ancestor of the playing card is doubtless 
found in the arrow, as shown under Korean playing cards. 

23. Kol-hpai. "Bone Tablets." Dominoes. Korea. 
(<() Set of thirty-two domino pieces. 1 

(b) 1 reproduction of native picture. 

Kj-saing (singing girls) playing dominoes with a guest (Plate 26). 2 
Korean dominoes consist of small bone or ivory tablets, or of bone 
and wood conjoined like those exhibited. The set consists of thirty- 
two pieces, identical with those of China. They receive different 
names, •however, and are mated differently from the Chinese. The 
names are as follows: 

1-1, syo-syo (Chinese, siu siu), "smallest/' 
1-2, 1joui-hko (Chinese, sTiii pi), "rat nose." 
1-3, syo-sam (Chinese, siu sdm), " small and three." 
l-4.jpatfc sd (Chinese, pdk sz'), "white and four." 
l-5,paik-i (Chinese, pdk 'tig), "white and five." 
1-6, pdik-ryouk (Chinese, pdk luk), "white and six." 
2-2, tjoun-a (Chinese, tsun d), "superior two." 
2-3, a-sam (Chinese, d sam), "two and three." 
2-1, a-sd (Chinese, d sz'), "two and four." 
2-5, koan-a (Chiuese, kun d), "sovereign two." 
2-6, a-ryouk (Chinese, d luk), "two and six." 
3-3, ijyang-sam (Chinese, ch'eung sdm), "long- three." 
3-4, sam-sd (Chinese, sdm sz'), "three and four." 
3-5, sam-o (Chinese, sdm 'ng), "three and five." 
3-6, sam-ryouk (Chinese, sdm luk), three and six." 
4-4, ijoun-hong (Chinese, tsun hung), "superior red." 
4-5, sd-o (Chinese, sz 1 'ng), "four and five." 
4-6, sd-ryouk (Chinese, sz' luk"), "four and six." 
5-5, tjoun-o (Chinese, tsun 'ng), "superior five." 
5-6, o-ryouk (Chinese, 'ng luk), "five and six." 
6-6, tjoun-ryouk (Chinese, tsun luk), "superior six." 

The method of pairing is shown in fig. 155. 3 The Korean games differ 
from those of China, the most popular, called Ho-hpai, "Foreign or 
Chinese Tablets," having many points of resemblance to the Chinese 
system of fortune-telling in which dominoes are used (See Chinese 
Games with Dice and Dominoes). Korean dominoes are clearly of 
Chinese origin. 

24. Dominoes. 4 Burma. 

Set of twenty-four pieces of teak wood. 

1 Cat. No. 77021, U.S.N.M. Collected by Lieut. J. B. Bernadou, U. S. N. 
- From Korean Games. 
The errors in the plate (9) in the Report of the U. S. National Museum, 1893, are 
here corrected. 

at. No. 166540, U.S.N.M. Collected by Mr C. C. Ellis, acting United States 
Consular Agent. Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, plate 10, Report U. S. 
Nat. Mas., 1893, p. 528. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.- Culin. 



Plate 26. 



^^^iVJ-fZojeJA)-,) 








''<•'-■ 



l H 




*-m&&& ? 



Koreans Playing Dominoes. 
From painting by native artist, reproduced in Korean Qames. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



839 



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9 9 











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99 

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Big. 155. 

KOL-HPAI DOHIHOB8. 

Korea. 

M, r.-^.N'.M. 
From Korean Games. 



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Burmese dominoes resemble in size and material the wooden domi 
noes of Southern China. They are marked with incised circles (some 
times with small brass disks) as 
follows : 

6-6, 1-1, 4-4, 1-3, 5-5, 3-3, and 2-2 
duplicated, and one each of the fol- 
lowing pieces : 6-3, 4-5, 6-2, 5-3, 4-3, 
5-2, 2-4, 1-4, 2-3, and 1-2, the last 
having two smaller spots adjoining 
the " 1." 

They are accompanied by a cubical 
die about J inch square, with two 
opposite faces marked with one spot, 
two opposite faces marked with two 
spots, and two opposite faces marked 
with three spots. This is used to 
decide who shall play first. 

Dominoes are also a common game 
in Siam, where they are called lan- 
tern (Chinese, td-tim), u Arranging," 
or "Connecting Spots." A set con- 
sists of twenty-four pieces, thin, rec- 
tangular tablets of ivory, marked as 
follows: the pieces 6-6, 1-1, 4-4, 1-3, 
5-5, 3-3, 2-2, 5-6, 4-6, 1-6, and 1-5 
duplicated, and one of each of the 
pieces 6-3 aud 6-2. Both Burmese 
and Siamese dominoes are probably 
derived from China. 



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25. Dominoes. United States. 1 Set 
of twenty-eight pieces, bone, 
with black wood backs. 

Dr. Gustav Schlegel states that 
the European game of dominoes was 
borrowed from the Chinese, the phil- 
osophic-astromonic elements being 
done away with, and only the arith- 
metical retained. 

The game seems to date from a re- 
cent period in Europe. According to Brockhaus' Conversations-Lexi- 
kon, Article " Domino," it was introduced into Germany through 
France from Italy about the middle of the last century. In England 
it appears, from a writer in Notes and Queries, to have been introduced 
by French prisoners about the close of the last century. 



' Cut. No. 17576, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. Purchased iu Washington, 1). C. 



840 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

26. Dominoes. 1 Eskimo. Labrador, North America. 

Flat pieces of ivory, cut in irregular shapes, marked on one face with 
spots arranged in different patterns. The number of pieces in a set 
varies from sixty to one hundred and forty-eight. 

According to Mr. Lucien M. Turner, by whom they were collected, 
the game is played in the following manner: 

Two or more persons, according to the number of pieces in the set, sit down and 
pile the pieces before them. One of the players mixes the pieces together in plain 
view of the others. When this is done, he calls them to take the pieces. Each 
person endeavors to obtain a half or third of the number, if there be two or three 
players. The one who mixed up the pieces lays down a piece and calls his opponent 
to match it with a piece having a similar design. If this can not be done by any of 
the players, the first has to match it, and the game continues until one of the players 
has exhausted all of the pieces taken by him. The pieces are designed in pairs, having 
names such as ka mid tik (sled), kaiak (canoe), kale sak (navel), a ma zut (many), a tad 
s'ik (1), md kok (2), ping a sut (3), si td mut (4), and td li mat (5). Each of the names 
above must be matched with a piece of similar kind, although the other end of the 
piece may be of a different design. A kamutik may be matched with an amazut, if 
the latter has not a line or bar cut across it ; if it has a bar, it must be matched with 
an amazut. 

This game is known to the people of the Ungava district, but those only who 
learn it fiom Northerners are able to play it. The northern Eskimo stake the 
last article they possess on the issue of the game. Their wives are disposed of tem- 
porarily, and often are totally relinquished to the victor. I have heard of w T ives so 
disposed of often sit down and win themselves back to their former owners. 

The game appears to have been borrowed from European rather than 
Asiatic sources. 

Another set of Eskimo dominoes (Plate 27), differing in their marks 
from the preceding, is contained in the American Museum of Natural 
History in New York City (Oat. No. t^tt)- It was collected by Capt. 
George Comer from the Central Eskimo of Savage Islands, West Coast 
of Hudson Bay, and consists of thirty- six pieces of ivory marked with 
dots, running irregularly from eight on one side down to blank. It is 
clearly a degenerate form of the European game. 

27. Chong to Ch'au. Game of the Chief of the Literati. Canton, 

China. Tallies and dice. 2 

Chong iln cWau is played with tallies, cWau, the highest of which is 
called chong iin, the name given the Optimus at the examinations for 
the degree of Hanlin, whence I have styled it "The Game of the Chief 
of the Literati." Two or more persons may play, using six dice and 
sixty-three bamboo tallies. The players throw in turn from right to 
left, and after throwing each draws the tally he is entitled to for his 
throw. 

This game is in many respects analogous to the Game of Promotion 



1 Cat. No. 76880, U.S.N. M. Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, plate 12, Re- 
port U. S. Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 529. 

< a r. No. 25539, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. Chinese Games with Dice and 
Dominoes, plate 3, Report U. S. Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 496. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm 



Plate 27. 




Set of Ivory Dominoes. 

Savant' Islands. 
Cat. No. riVr- American Museum of Natural History. New York. 



Report of U. S National Museum. 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 28. 








IOCO 




Game of Goose (Cfiuoco Deir Oca). 

Length, 16 inches: width, 12 inches. 

Florence, Italy. 

Cat. No. 17373, Museum of Archaeology. University of Pennsylvania. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 841 

(No. 6), the titles of different officials being painted upon tallies 
instead of being printed upon a diagram. The form of the tallies sug- 
gest the probability of their having been derived from arrows. An 
American Indian analogue is found in the Micmac game of icoltes-takun 
(p. 697). 

28. Sugoroku. " Double Sixes." Japan. Board 1 and teetotum. 2 
A common game with Japanese children, usually played at the Kew 

Year. The diagram or board, which is printed in colors, is divided 
into a number of divisions distinguished by pictures. One of the 
most popular forms is called do chiu, or " traveling" sugoroku, and is 
played upon a large sheet of paper on which are represented the various 
stopping places on a journey. The moves are made according to the 
throws with one or more dice, or with a teetotum (Japanese coma). The 
game exhibited is entitled Nan niyo ichi dai shus-sei sugoroku or u Boys 
and girls step by step advancing sugoroku," and is printed in colors 
upon a large sheet of paper. Another game in the museum is entitled 
Kamalcura ei-yu sugoroku, or "The heroes of Kamakura surgoroku," and 
another, Gakko sexto hen kiyo surgoroku, or "School- students studying 
sugoroku." New games are published in Japan at each recurring New 
Year. Like the corresponding games at the present day in Europe 
and America, they frequently reflect whatever is uppermost in the 
popular mind. Thus, in 1894-95 the war with the Chinese gave rise 
to the Shina seibatsu sugoroku, or "Punishing China surgoroku," a 
specimen of which is in the University Museum (Cat. No. 17687). The 
name sugoroku is more correctly applied to the game of backgammon 
played with two dice, but is used at the present day in Japan to desig- 
nate all games played on boards or diagrams in which the moves are 
made by throwing dice. 

29. Jeu de L'Oie. Game of Goose. 3 France. 

Folding board imprinted with diagram 14 by 18 inches, having sixty- 
three numbered stations; dice and men. 

The pieces are moved according to the throws. A common game in 
France at the New Year. 

30. Giuoco Dell' Oca. "Game of Goose." Florence, Italy. 
Lithographed diagram 4 with ninety numbered stations around which 

the players move their men, according to the throws. (Plate 28.) 

31. Juego de la Oca. Game of Goose. 5 Mexico. 

Paper diagram printed with sixty-three numbered stations. Similar 
to the preceding. A similar Mexican game entitled the Juego del 
Laberinto, in the University Museum (Cat. No. 16474) has sixty-three 

'Cat. No. 7130, Mus. Arcb., Univ. Penn. 

Cat. j\o. 7139, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

3 Cat. No. 15489, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

4 Cat. No. L5508, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

fi Cat. No. 182(53. Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



842 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

n umbered stations arranged to represent a snake, the direction being 
from head to tail. 

32. Game of Goose. 1 United States. 

Board, men, and spinning arrow 2 used instead of dice. The board 
has ninety-nine numbered stations. 

33. Snake Game. 3 United States. 

Board printed in colors with one hundred and twenty-two numbered 
stations. 

The first game of this type published in the United States is said to 
have been " The Mansion of Happiness," issued by Mr. S. B. Ives of 
Salem, Massachusetts, about the year 1847, and said to have been 
copied from an English game. Mr. Ives was the first publisher of 
games as a business in this country. In 1861 Mr. Milton Bradley of 
Springfield, Massachusetts, published the " Checkered Game of Life." 
These were the forerunners of a large number of similar games in the 
United States, among which the following are included in the collec- 
tion of the University of Pennsylvania: " Steeple Chase "; "Yacht 
Race"; u Bicycle Race"; "Messenger Boy"; "Round the World,'' 
together with others with more or less fanciful titles invented in order 
to secure the protection of copyright. 

The prototype of the boards in these and the preceding games (Nos. 
28 to 32) is to be found in the Korean Nyout circuit. 

The following foreign games of the foregoing type are contained in 
the collection of the Museum of Archaeology and Paleontology of the 
University of Pennsylvania. 4 

'Cat. No. 16467, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

2 A square of cardboard, with the numbers from 1 to 6 arranged in a circle, and a 
metal arrow fastened to revolve on a pivot in the center. It and similar contrivances 
are substituted on account of the prejudice against the use of the dice through 
their association with gambling. 

3 Cat. No. 175656, U.S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 

4 The European specimens are in greater part the gift of Dr. H. Carrington Bolton. 
See his paper, The Game of Goose, Journal of American Folklore, VIII, p. 145. 



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CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



849 



34. TIwulah. Backgammon. Damascus, Syria. 

Folding board inlaid with mother-of-pearl and silver wire, dice, and 
men. 1 The game is played in the same manner as the common English 
game. The game of backgammon belongs to what I have designated, 
for convenience, as the Nyout series. Dr. Hyde has remarked that the 
six points upon each quarter of the backgammon board were devised 
to correspond with the six points of the cubical die. 

3."). Tabal. Backgammon. Johore, Malay Peninsula. Board. 2 

The name of this game, tabal, is doubtless from the Portugese tabola 
or Spanish tab la. 





Fig. 156. 

MEN FOR KOREAN BACKGAMMON GAME. 

Height, 5jj inches. 

C:it. No. 17601, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

The game of Backgammon, played upon a board of twenty-four sta- 
tions similar to the boards in common use in Spain at the present day, 
exists along the entire eastern coast of Asia, from Korea to the Malay 
Peninsula. 
36. Ssanci-Ryouk. Backgammon. Korea. 

Eeproduction of native picture of players engaged at the game. 3 
This game is described at length in Chinese Games with Dice and 
Dominoes. It is played with fifteen men, according to the throws with 
two dice, in the same manner as the English game of backgammon. 
The board consists of an unpainted box, 11 by 23£ inches, with inclos- 
ing sides 3J inches high. The men — called ma], " horses," as in the 
Nyout game — are delicate wooden pins 2| inches high, witli a liemi 
spherical base (fig. 156). Those on one side are painted green, with red 



1 Cat. No. 7710, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
a Cat. No. 16586, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
Report U. S. Nat. Mns., 1893, p. 502. 
3 From Korean (James. 

NAT MUS 96 54 



Chinese Games with Dice, Ag. 10, 



850 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



tips, and those on the other red, with green tips, agreeing in this 
respect with the pieces in the Hindu game of Pachisi, which sometimes 
have the green pieces tipped with red and the red with green in the 
same manner, as in the Burmese game (No. 41). An interesting pecul- 



m 



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Fig. 157. 

coweie game (Eawade Eelia). 

Board. 12 by 24J inches. 

Ceylon. 

Cat. No. 16471, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

iarity of the men is that they are each marked with the name of a 
famous Korean Ki-sding, or "singing girl," which is inscribed in Chi- 
nese characters on the bottom of each piece. 
This Korean game nearly agrees with the Chinese backgammon game 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



851 



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1 




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described hy Dr. Hyde under the name of Coan ki (Tsun Ic'i), or the 
" Bottle Game." 1 

37. Kawade Kelia. Cowrie game. Ceylon. Board and cowries. 2 
The board, 1-J by 24 J inches, is marked with a design cut in the wood 

(fig. 157). It is elevated by two strips of wood nailed transversely across 
the bottom, and bears a nearly obliterated diagram for the same game 
in blue paint. From the exhibit of the Government of Ceylon at the 
Columbian Exposition, Chicago. Two or four persons play. In the 
latter case, two play as partners. Cowries of different kinds are used 
as men, each player having three. These are called bala, " dogs n (singu- 
lar, balo). The moves are made, 
according to the throws, with six 
cowrie shells. The counts are as 
follows : 

6 mouths up = 6 

5 mouths up = 5 

4 mouths up = 4 

3 mouths up = 3 

2 mouths up = 2 

1 mouth up = 1 

The players stand at opposite sides 
of the bottom of the board and finish 
at the end of the interior diagram, 
making the circuit in opposite direc- 
tions. A player may take and set 
back an opponent's piece, unless it be upon one of the squares crossed 
by diagonals, called catty a. A similar game is played in southern India 
under the name of Gavalata, or u cowrie play," upon a square checkered 
board having an odd number of squares upon a side (fig. 158). Two or 
four persons play, each using one or two cowries as men, which they 
move according to the throws with four or five cowries. 3 

When two play, one starts at A and the other at B, moving in the direc- 
tion of the arrows. The object is to traverse all the squares to the center. 
A player kills and sends back an opponent's piece when his own falls 
upon the same square, unless it rests in a protected square or u castle."* 

These games are clearly related to the following game, Pachisi, The 
cowries used in it, as in Pachisi, may be regarded as a convenient sub- 
stitute for staves. 

38. Pachisi. The Game of "Twenty-five." India. Cloth, cowries, 

and men. 5 
"The implements for the game of Pachisi, a most popular game in 

1 De Ludis Orieutalihus, Oxford, 1694, p. 65. 

2 Cat. No. 16471, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

3 A similar Hiudu game is figured and described by Mr. Edward Falkener Games, 
Ancieut aud Orieutal, p. 265) under the name of AaMa-kashto. 

••Children and others who can not aftbrd cowries play with tamarind seeds rubbed 
smooth on one side. 
5 Cat. No. 153344, U.S.N.M. 



Fig. 158. 

BOARD FOR "COWRIE PLAY" (Gavalatd). 
Southern India. 



^2 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



India, consist of a cloth or board, sixteen wooden or ivory pieces or 
men, and seven cowrie shells. The board consists of four rectangles, 
with their narrow sides so placed as to form a square in the center 
(lig. 159). Each rectangle is divided into twenty-four small squares, 
consisting of three rows of eight squares each. The game is usually 
played by four persons, each of whom is furnished with four ivory or 
wooden cones called gate of a peculiar color for distinction, and takes 
his station opposite one of the rectangles. His pieces, gote, start one 
by one from the middle row of his own rectangle, beginning at the 



Z 



EI 



M 



M 



X 



X 



X 



X 



WJ 



Fig. 159. 
PACHISI CLOTH. 
From Korean Games. 



M 



M 



X 



-t-sJ 



division next to the large central space. They theu proceed all around 
the outside rows of the board, passing, of course, through those of the 
adversaries' rectangles, traveling from right to left (i. e., contrary to 
the sun) until they get back to the central row from which they started. 
Any piece is liable, however, to be taken up and thrown back to the 
beginning, as in backgammon, by any of the adversaries' pieces hap- 
pening to fall upon its square, except in the case of the twelve priv- 
ileged squares (called chik, 'forts'), which are marked with a cross; 
in that case the overtaking piece can not move from its position. Their 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 853 

motion is determined by throwing six or seven 1 cowrie shells as dice, 
which count according as the apertures fall uppermost or not. The 
counts are as follows: 

1 aperture up = 10 

2 apertures up = 2 

3 apertures up = 3 

4 apertures up = 4 

5 apertures up = 25 

6 apertures up = 30 

7 apertures up = 12 
No apertures up = (> 

A throw of twenty-five or thirty gives an additional move of one. At 
the last step the throw must amount to exactly one more than the num- 
ber of squares left to enable the piece to go into the central space, i. e., 
off the board. If it happens to stop on the last square, it can not get off 





MEN FOR PACHISI GAME. 

a, Maldives; wood, painted. 6, Burma; wood, paiuted. c, Lucknow, India: ivory. 
Height, 1J inches, £ and {•& inch. 

Cat. Nos. 16477, 18612, 7133, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

until twenty-five or thirty is thrown. The players throw in turns, and 
each goes on until he throws a two, three, or four, when he loses the 
lead. If the same number be thrown thrice successively, it does not 
count. The game is generally played with six cowries, making the 
highest throw twenty-five (the six apertures up then counting twelve); 
hence it is termed Pachisi (from jxtcliis, twenty-five). The board used 
is a carpet or some other fabric, ornamented and marked with cloth of 
different colors sewed upon it. It is sometimes played by two persons, 
each taking the opposite rectangles with eight pieces and playing them 
all from the rectangle next to him. The game continues till three of 
the players get out. They never play for money." -' 

The game of Pack is i may be regarded as an expansion and elabora- 
tion of the type of game represented by the Korean Nyout, and sacred 

1 The number of shells used as dice iu Pachisi and allied games varies from lour up 
to as many as sixteen. 
2 Herklots, Qauoon-e-Islam. London, 18:>"2. 



854 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

and divinatory iu its origin. The board itself represents the Four 
Quarters of the World. Its four arms, each with eight squares, may- 
be regarded as the four arms of the internal cross of the nyout circuit, 
each of three points extended by the four arcs, each of five points. 

The position of the "castles" or squares marked with a cross on the 
arms is not always the same, 1 but commonly, as on the cloth from the 
Maldives (No. 43), they agree with the large circles at the four quarters 
of the nyout circuit. 

The colors of the men agree with those assigned to the seasons of 
the year and the four quarters of the world to which they correspond, 
in Asia. When four persons play, the red and green, and black and 
yellow play partners. This relation is indicated on the men used in 
the Burmese game (No. 42), which are painted with the complementary 
colors, the red men having green tips, and vice versa. This corresponds 
with the relation assumed to exist between the seasons and the world 
quarters and their corresponding colors. As each quarter of the world 
has four quarters, each player in turn has four men. As the men or 
pieces may be regarded in the cosmical game as actually representing 
men, they appear as such in the Maldivian game (No. 43) like the men 
of the Noah's Ark. The name of the pieces, gote (singular, got), 2 also 
applied to the pawns in chess, is derived from the Sanskrit ghotaJca, a 
horse. This agrees with the Korean name of the men in Nyout : mal, 
"horse," or "horsemen." 

The two faces of the Korean staves, black and white, may be regarded 
as signifying, as will appear in the following pages, the dual principles 
of nature, masculine and feminine. A feminine significance is widely 
attributed to the aperture of the cowrie shell. Its convex side would 
naturally be regarded as masculine; hence its substitution for the staves 
would seem to have been an easy transition. 

The distribution of the game of Pachisi in Asia, as illustrated by 
specimens in the U. IS. National Museum and the Museum of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, is from Syria to the Philippines. 

39. Patolli. A game like Pachisi. Ancient Mexico. 

Reproduction of native picture, from copy of sixteenth century 
Hispano-Mexican manuscript, with kind permission of Mrs. Zelia 
Nuttall: 3 

Mrs. Zelia Nuttall has kindly furnished me with the following trans- 
lation of the Spanish text accompanying the picture: 

This is a game that the Indians had and named patole. It is like a game of dice, 
and (played) upon a painted mat. In the following picture, and all who were mas- 

1 They are sometimes placed on the fourth square and sometimes on the fifth, vary- 
ing in specimens from the same locality. 

-'I Tie word got, or properly ghot, Bengali, ghunti, is obviously a corruption of the 
Sanskrit ghotaka, a horse, Bengali and Hindi ghora, or ghote. Communicated to the 
writer by the Swamee Vivikeuanda through Mrs. Florence B. Sherman. 

3 Prospectus: Libro de la Vida que los Indios antiguamente hazian y Supersti- 
ciones y malos Ritos que tenian y guardavan. An anonymous Hispano-Mexican Man- 



Report of U S. National Museum, 1896— Culm. 



Plate 29. 



~*TS 





The Game of Patolli. 
From Atlas of Duran's Historia de las Indias de Nueva Espaiia y islas de tierra firme, 

Mexico, 1880. II. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 855 

ters of their games, invocated a demon which they name Macuilsucitl, which means 
Five Roses (flowers). They invocate him, so that he should give them luck in 
winning. 1 

An especial interest is attached to the game of Patolli from the fact 
of its resemblance to the Hindu Pachisi being regarded as one of the 
strongest evidences of the Asiatic origin of the old Mexican culture. 
Attention was first called to this resemblance by Dr. E. B. Tylor in a 
paper before the Anthropological Institute, entitled " The game of 
patolli in ancient Mexico and its probable Asiatic origin." 2 

In plate 29 may be seen a picture of Patolli from Duran's Atlas, the 
original being in colors. 

An excellent resume of the accounts of Patolli, as related by the 
chroniclers, is given by Prof. E. B. Tylor in the Journal of the Anthro- 
pological Institute, 3 and republished in the Internationales Archiv fur 
Ethnographic 4 

40. Chausar, or PasI. Set of three ivory dice. 5 Lucknow, India. 

Chausar is played upon the same board as Pachisi, with the substi- 
tution of three dice marked with spots counting one, two, five, and six. 6 

Either long dice (No. 13) or short ones pointed at the ends, like those 
here exhibited, are used. 

The shorter dice are said to be used as cheaper in price. The two 



uscript dating from the sixteenth century, consisting of 145 pages of illustrations 
and descriptive text, preserved at the Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale, Florence (Cod. 
Magi. Class. 111. Pal., II, Cod. 3), Published in colored facsimile with English 
Translation, Commentary, and Notes by Zelia Nuttall. 

'Another picture in the same manuscript, reproduced by Mrs. Nuttall, described 
as the mania da cinco rosas (Mantle of the Five Roses), suggests the attributes of this 
god. It consists of a parallelogram, at the four corners of which are four circles, 
each of the color attributed among the Mexicans to the Four Directions. 

"Xockipilli, lord of flowers, otherwise named Macuilxochitl, five flowers (the 
name of a small odorous plant), was the deity who gave and protected all flowering 
plants. As one of the gods of fertility and production, he was associated with 
T laloc, god of rains." Brinton, Rig Veda Ainericauus, p. 40. 

2 Journal of the Anthropological Institute, VIII, 1878. The first writer to discuss 
the resemblances of the games of the American Indians with those of the Old World, 
as an argument iu favor of the Asiatic origin of the American race, was P. Lalitau 
in his Moeurs des Sauvages Anieriquaius Comparees aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps, 
Paris, 1724. Under Des Jeux (II, p. 338) he describes and illustrates the plum stone 
game played upon a mat, and the bowl game, comparing them with the similar custom 
of throwing cowrie shells, practiced by the negroes of Africa (see p. 815), and with 
knuckle bones of classical antiquity. He then compares the game of straws, patties, 
with cards, and concludes with a parallel between the Indian ball games and those 
of the Greeks and Romans. 

: On the Game of Patolli in Ancient Times and its probably Asiatic Origin, 1878. 

"•On American Lot-Games as Evidence of Asiatic Intercourse before the Tim< «>t* 
Columbus, 1896. 

6 Cat. No. 7144, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. Chinese Games with Dice and Dominoes, 
fig. 25, Report U. S. Nat. Mus., 1893, p. 532. 

'The variations in the game called Chausar, played with dice, from that of 1'nrhisi 
with cowries, are given by Mr. Edward Falkeuer. Games Anoient and Oriental, 
London, 1892. 



Si)G REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

kinds find a parallel in the long and short blocks used in the Kyout 
game and in the similar staves used in games by certain American 
tribes. In the case of the latter a ceremonial distinction is said to 
sometimes exist, one kind being used exclusively by women, who are not 
permitted to play with the others. 

41. Pasit (Pachisi). Burma. Cloth, cowries, and men. 1 

Cloth with four arms, each with three rows of eight squares consist- 
in g of silk cloth of different colors. 

A detailed account of Pasit is given by Shay Yoe. 2 The game is 
also called chuay pyit-thee and ansah pyit-thee. He describes six cow- 
ries (chuay) being used, the throws with which count as follows: 

1 mouth up =10, fse. 

2 mouths up = 2, pah. 

3 mouths up = 3, thohn. 

4 mouths up = 4, lay. 

5 mouths up =25, taseht. 

6 mouths up = 12, hah yah. 
No mouths up= 6, chouk. 

These, it will be seen, closety agree with those described on page 853, 
as do the rules in general. The " castles," called poll or kyah, are colored 
red or green. Tbe game is also played with three dice, identical with 
those described under Ghausar (No. 40). 

42. Dhola (Pachisi). Maldive Islands. Cloth, men, and cowrie shells, 

weighted with lead, used as dice 3 (Plate 30). 
The cloth is made of blue cotton with the squares embroidered in 
white thread, with the date in the middle, A. H. 1301 (1883 A. D.). 
Five cowries are used. In Ceylon the men receive the name of ito. 

43. Pachis (Pachisi). Persia. 

Wooden board, 4 composed of four pieces which fit together in the 
middle to form a cross (Plate 31). The face is gilded and painted in 
colors. There are three rows of eight squares in each arm, with 
pictures of women, covered with mica, at each of the four ends. It 
will be observed that the game is known in Persia by its Hindu name. 
The method of play, if it differs from that in India, is unknown to the 
writer. 5 

1 Cat. Nos. 18592, 18593, 18594, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

2 James Ceorge Scott, The Barman, His Life and Notions, London, 1882, II, p. 83. 

I at. Nos. KilTfi, 16477, 16482, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. From the exhibit ot the Gov- 
ernment of Ceylon at the Columbian Exposition, Chicago. 
•Cat. No. 18264, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

1 >en. A. Houtum Schindler, of Teheran, in reply to a letter of inquiry, writes as 
follows: 

•• Pachirif an Indian game, is seldom played in Persia; in fact, I do not remember 
having seen it during all my twenty-nine years' residence in the country. The Per- 
sian name of the game is Pachis and I'ivhds, the latter evidently a corruption of the 
former, the original Indian word." 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 30. 




Report of U. 5. National Museum, 1896. -Culin. 



Plate 31 



4 

^1^ <r 





Board for Pachjs {Pachisi). 

Length, SOJ inches. 

Persia. 

cat. No. 18264, Bluseum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 857 

44. Edris a Jin. Edris of the Genii, a game like Pachisi. Druses 

of Lebanon, Syria. Cloth and cowrie shells used as dice 
and men. 1 

The board is much more complicated than the preceding, consisting 
of a large square cotton cloth marked with a parti-colored diagram 
with four arms each having four rows of eight squares, each connected 
at the ends by a diagonal row of eight squares, the whole forming an 
octagonal figure. The inner square, composed of sixteen small squares, 
is called the serai. The moves are made according to the throws with 
four cowries. Each player has three men, other shells, one of which 
is called the "chief," and the others " soldiers." The former are filled 
with red sealiug wax, to which colored paper is pasted, distinguishing 
them as red, green, yellow, and black. The name of the game, Edris, 
which is applied in Syria to simple games played with men upon 
boards, among which is Merrels, is the same as that of Enoch, 2 the 
prophet of the Druses. 

In this game, which, from its terminology, is possibly of Persian 
origin, the pieces are differentiated. It appears to be a step in the 
direction of the game of chess, although not in the direct line. 

45. Chaturanga. Dice chess. Ancient India. Board, men 3 (repro- 

ductions) and die. 

The game of Chaturanga, now apparently extinct, is described in 
detail in the Bhavisliya Purana, of which translations have been given 
by several writers. It was played upon an ordinary chessboard of 
sixty-four squares by four players, each of whom had eight men, dis- 
tinguished by the colors red, green, yellow, and black. The men con- 
sisted of four foot soldiers or pawns, and a Eajah, Elephant, Horse, and 
Ship, which are placed in the order of Ship, Horse, Elephant, and Eajah, 
beginning from the left corner, with the four foot soldiers iu front. The 
partners' pieces occupy the opposite diagonals. The Eajah, Elephant, 
and Horse move as the King, Eook, or Castle and Knight in modern 
chess; the Ship always two squares diagonally, hopping over an inter- 
mediate piece if necessary ; the foot soldier like the pawn in our own 
game. The players play alternately in the order of the sun. The 
moves were made according to the throws with a die marked 2, 3, 4, 5. 
On throwing 5, the Eajah or a foot soldier was moved; if 4 was 
thrown, the Elephant; 3, the Horse, and 2, the Ship. It is not cer 
tain from the account referred to that the die was employed after the 
opening move. 

The Eajah was not checkmated in this early game, but is taken like 

'Cat. No. 1*262, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

2 Enoch is the reputed inventor of a kind of divinatory table divided into s<[iia 
in each of which is written an Arabic letter, which is described by Lain- under t lie 
name of Za'ir'geh. Hence, it may be, bis name is applied to the yames above described. 

3 Cat.No.75T8, Mus. Arch., Univ. Peon. 



8;. 8 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



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£ 



♦ 




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$<§>3?<£<8> 



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any other piece. He might, if expedient, be captured by his partner's 
men, who thus placed himself iu command of both armies. 

The name of the game, Chaturanga or "four angas," is that of the 
four angas or members of an army, a term which is applied to real 
armies by the epic poets of India. 1 

The relation of the game of Chaturanga to the game of Pachisi is 
very evident. The board is the square of the arm of the Pachisi cross, 
and even the castles of the latter appear to be perpetuated in the 
camps, similarly marked with diagonals, on the Chinese chessboard 
(No. 51). 2 The arrangement of the men at the corners of the board 
survives in the Burmese game of Chess (So. 46). The four-sided die is 
similar to that used in Chausar (No. 40). The pieces or men are of the 
same colors as in Pachisi, and consist of the four sets of men or pawns 

of the Pachisi game, with the addition 
of the four distinctive chess pieces, the 
origin and significance of which remain 
to be accounted for. By analogy, it 
may be assumed that the board, if not 
indeed all boards upon which games 
are played, stands for the world and 
its four quarters (or the year and its 
four seasons), and that the game itself 
was originally divinatory. 

The theory that modern chess had 
its origin in Chaturanga, suggested by 
Capt. Hiram Cox in 1799, and upheld 
and developed by Prof. Duncan Forbes 3 
has not been accepted by students of 
the game generally. The antiquity of 
the Pur ana in which it is described, has been questioned, and the game 
asserted to be a comparatively modern adaptation of the primal Hindu 
game. Apart from this discussion the relation of Chess to an earlier 
dice game, such as Pachisi, appears to be evident. The comparative 
study of games leads to the belief that practically all games as chess, 
played upon boards, were preceded by games in which the pieces were 
animated by dice, cowries or knuckle bones, or by staves, as in the 
Korean Syout. the Egyptian Tab, and many aboriginal American games. 



m 



Fig. 161. 

PERSIAN CHESS BOARD. 
After Hyde. 



'For a further account of the game with a translation of the original authorities, 
consult Edward Falkener, Games Ancient and Oriental, London, 1892, from which 
the above is taken. 

rhia survival of the Castles on the chessboard is still more clearly seen on the 
ian chessboard figured by Hyde, fig. 161. He says: "The chessboard of the 
Persians living in India is quite square and has the same number of squares. But, 
in order better to protect the King, some of the squares are ' crosscut.' If now the 
King is hard pressed, he can evade either by changing with the Castle, or move to 
one of those crosscut squares." (Historia Shahiludii, p. 60.) A similar marking is 
to be observed on the Burmese chessboard. 

3 History of Chess, 1860. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 32. 



O 

x 

— m 
en 

CD 

- ~ C 
S C > 
^ ; 1 X 
~i - D 
— 

c r | 

X D 

3 <■ 




CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



859 



46. Chit-Thareen. Chess. Burma. Board and Men. 1 (Plate 32.) 

The board is very large and stands high for the convenience of the 
players, who sit upon the ground. The men are made of wood of dif- 
ferent colors, or of ivory painted fed and green on opposite sides, and 
carved to represent the objects they stand for. 
The pieces on each side are as follows : 

1. Meng, 2 King or General (1) = King. 

2. Chekoy, Lieutenant-General (1) = Queen. 

3. Hatha, War Chariots (2) = Rooks. 

4. Chein, Elephants (2) = Bishops. 

5. Mhee, Cavalry (2) = Knights. 

6. Yein, Foot-soldiers (8) = Pawns. 



\ 






1 


■ i 


X 




V 


* S 


5 


/ 


/ 




* s 


\ 


6 

/ 


i> 1 


(q 

r o 6 


6 


i> i 


9 JO 


lo 

/ 


6 i 


/ G 




\ 4 


\ 

X 


/ 


5 


& 



Fig. 162. 

BURMESE CHESS BOARD. 
From drawing in The Burman, II, p. 12. 

The King, Ratha or Rooks, Mhee or Knights, and Yein or Pawns 
move in the same manner as the corresponding pieces in our own 
game. The Chekoy moves diagonally only, but one square at a time. 
The Chein move one square diagonally, but are able to move, but not 
to take, one square forward. The pieces are ordinarily arranged as 
shown on the board (fig. 1G2), but either party may adopt another line 
of battle. 3 

The absence of a queen, designated as such, will be observed in all 

'Cat. No. 166539, U.S.N.M. Collected by Mr. C. C. Ellis, Acting United States Ton- 
sillar Agent. 

2 Mr. Scott (Shway Yoe) gives the following transliterations of the names of the 
pieces: Min, si'ke, yittah. sin, myin, Jit. (The Buiinan, His Life and Notions, Loudon, 
1882, II, p. 72.) 

r For a more complete account of the game, consult Games Ancient and Oriental. 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



the oriental games of Chess. Professor Forbes has pointed out that in 
the four-handed game of Chess it was of the utmost importance with 
each of the players to get possession of his ally's throne, a step which 
thenceforth secured to him the individual command of the allied forces. 




Fig. 163. 

INDIAN CHESSMEN OF WOOD. 
After Hvde. 



It must therefore have often happened that, after some twenty or 
thirty moves, the contest remained to be decided between two players 




Fig. 164. 

INDIAN CHESSMEN OF SOLID IYOEY. 
After Hvde. 



only. He points out, too, that in the two-handed game one of the 
allied kings becomes a subordinate piece, called by the Persians and 
Arabs, Farzin or Wazir, the Queen of our European game. 




Fig. 165. 

INDIAN CHESSMEN OF HOLLOW IVOET. 
After Hyde. 

47. Chess. Maldive Islands. Board 1 and men. 2 (The men original, 
the board substitution.) 
Identical with the Hindu game, which is played in the same manner 
as the English. The pieces in the Indian game receive the following 
names: 

Padshah (1) = King. 

Wa:ir or Minister (1) = Queen. 
Phil or Elephant (2; = Bishops. 
Asp, ghora (2) = Knights. 

L'likh, burj (2) = Castles. 

Piadah (8) = Pawns. 



/ 



1 Cat. No. 7579, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

2 Cat, No. 16489, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



CHESS AND PLAYIXG-CARDS. 



801 



It may be observed that the forms of the chessmen in countries under 
Mohammedan influence are not usually those of men or animals, as 
such representations are forbidden by Mohammedan law. 1 

Probably the oldest chessmen known to exist are an almost complete 
set which is preserved in the East Indian Museum, London. They 
were excavated about thirty years ago on the site of the city of Brah- 
munabad in Sind, which was destroyed by an earthquake in the eighth 




Fig. 166. 

TUBKISH AXD GREEK CHESSMEN'. 
After Hyd*. 

century. They are black and white, made of ivory and ebony: turned, 
and plain in character, without ornament. The kings and queens are 
about 3 inches high, the pawns 1 inch, and the other pieces of inter- 
mediate heights. Fragments of a chessboard of the same materials were 
found with them. 2 




Fig. 167. 
KURDISH CHESSMKX. 

Height, 1 to 11 inches. 

Cat. Xo. 196*3, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

48. Chator. Chess. Johore. Malay Peninsula. Board and men. 3 

Identical with the Indian game. The pieces on each side receive the 
following names: 

Rajah, (1) = King. 

Muubrie, Vezir (1) = Queen. 

Teh, Chariot (2) = Rook. 

<"jah, Elephant ,2) = Bishop. 
Euda. Horse (2) = Knight. 

Bidak, Foot-soldier (8) = Pawn. 

The}' are made of wood of two kinds, of the natural colors. 



1 Some commentators have supposed th.it the prohibition of images in the Koran 
referred to chessmen, aud the notion, repeated in ;i note to Sale's Koran, has found 
wide acceptance. There is do evidence that * I a known to the Arabs in the 

time of Mohammed. 

-William Maskell. Ivories, Ancient aDd Medieval. London. 1ST", p. T v 
Cat. Nos. 16490, 16489, Mas, Arch.. Univ. Penn. From the exhibit of H. H. the 
late Snltan of Johore at the Colombian Exposition, Lhnago. 



862 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



4!>. Chessboard. 1 Morocco. Nineteenth century. 

The alternate squares are made of eight-pointed stars carved in relief 
and painted red with a conventional flower in yellow. The depressed 
squares are painted yellow. 

50. Chess. England. Board and men. 2 

The time of the introduction of chess into Europe has not been 
definitely fixed upon, but is believed to be in or before the Eleventh 
century. The source of the European game is Arabic, which is evident 




Pig. 168. 

ENGLISH CHESSMEN. 

Time of Caxton. 

After Hyde. 



from the words "check" and "mate," which are from Shah mat, the 
Shah or King is dead. Nothing is really known as to how chess was 
introduced into western and central Europe. 3 

'Cat. No. 15498, Mus. Arch., Univ. Peiin. Purchased by the writer in Gibraltar, 
Spain, 1893. 

A similar board was procured by Dr. Talcott Williams in Morocco in 1897. He 
informed the writer that he was unable to obtain the native men, foreign chessmen 
being used. 

2 Cat. No. 7091, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

3 In reply to a letter of inquiry, in reference to the best modern works in English 
and German on the practice and history of chess, Mr. John G. White, of Cleveland, 
Ohio, has kindly furnished the writer with the following particulars: 

The best books in English as to the practical part of the game I think to be : 

E. Freeborough, Chess Openings, Ancient and Modern, 3d ed., 1896, supple- 
mented by — 

E. Freeborough, Chess Endings, London, 1891. 

W. Cook, Synopsis of Chess Openings ; with American inventions in Chess Open- 
in gs and fresh analysis since 1882, by J. W. Miller, Cincinnati, 1881. 

In German : 

Bilgner Handbuch, 7th ed., Leipzig, 1891. 

O. Cordel, Fuhrcr durch de Schachthcore, Berlin, 1888. 

Dr. Eugen V. Schmidt, Systematische Anordnung der Schacheroffnungen, Leipzig, 

As to the historic study of the game, there is nothing in the English language 
worthy of mention. Forbes' History is antiquated. He did not even make good use 
of the material known to him. 

In German : 

Dr. A, Van derLinde, Geschichte und Literatur desSchachspiels, two vols., Berlin, 
: Qucllenstudien, Berlin, 1881; Erstcs Jahrtausend, Berlin, 1881. 

Stimulated by these books, a number of articles by German scholars have appeared, 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 8G3 

The oldest European chessmen in existence appear to be six ivory 
pieces, long preserved in the abbey of St. Dennis and now in the 
National Library at Paris, where they were transferred at the Revolu- 
tion. According to tradition, they were a gift to the abbey from 
Charlemagne. The dress and ornaments of these pieces are in keep- 
ing with the Greek costume of the ninth century. 1 

51. Tseung K ? i. Chess. Canton, China. Board 2 and men. 

The board, commonly made of paper, has sixty-four squares, which 
are separated into two parts in the middle by a blank space, the width 
of one square, called the " River." Four squares in the middle of each 
side of the board in the first and second rows nearest the edge are 
crossed with two diagonal intersecting lines, marking an inclosure, 
which is called the " Palace." The pieces on each side, which are 
placed at the intersections of the lines instead of on the squares, and 
consist of disks of wood inscribed on both sides with the Chinese char- 
acter for the name, distinguished by the colors red and blue, are as 
follows : 

Tseung, " General" (1) King. 

Sz\ "Councillors" (2) Bishops. 

Tseung, " Elephants" (2). 

Md, "Horses" (2) = Knights. 

Ch% "Chariots" (2) = Castles. 

P'du, "Cannons" (2). 

Ping and Tsut (on opposite sides), "Foot soldiers" (5) = Pawns. 

The "Generals" are placed in the middle of each outer row with the 
" Councillors" on either side. Next without them are the two 
" Horses" with the " Chariots" in the corners. The " Cannons" occupy 
the first points of intersection from the edges of each of the second 
rows, while the "Footsoldiers" are placed in the third row with one 
intervening point between each of them. 

The " General" is not permitted to move outside of his " Palace" and 
only along the perpendicular and horizontal lines. The "Chancellors," 



some in periodicals devoted to the game, in learned journals, and as essays, Buch as 
that by Fritz Strohmeyer on "Chess in Old French" in the collection of essays pub- 
lished on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the professorship of Dr. 
Adolf Tohler, Halle A. S., 1895. While these have, here and there, collected a date, 
established matters doubted by A r an der Linde, and enlarged the information given 
by him, they have left substantially unchanged the more important features of his 
work. Thus they have shoved back the date of knowledge of chess among the Arabs 
a generation, have shown knowledge of chess in Europe sonic fifty y« ars before the 
earliest date assigned by him; proved that he spoke too quioklj as to the Problem 
Collection of Bomus Socius comprising the whole problematical chess Literature of 
the Middle Ages, etc. His books are somewhat disfigured by controversial bitter- 
ness, and too great critical skepticism; the style is not attractive, bul they are mines 
of information. 

1 William Maskell, Ivories, Ancient and Medieval, London. L876, p. 77. 

2 Cat. No. 16434, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



864 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



which move along the diagonal lines, also never quit the " Palace, 7 ' 
although other pieces may enter or pass through it. The " Elephants" 
move two squares diagonally, but can not jump over an intermediate 
piece nor cross the " River." The u Horse" has the move of our Knight, 
but may not jump over an intermediate piece. It may cross the 
"River," the "River" forming one-half of its move. The "Chariot" 




Fig. 169. 

CHINESE CHESS. 
From Korean Games. 



moves like our " Castle," and may cross the " River." The "Cannons" 
move like the " Chariot," except that they can not move without jump- 
ing over one piece, but they can not jump over two. The "Footsol- 
diers" move and take one point at a time in a forward direction. They 
can cross the "River," the "River" itself being one move. When 
across, they can move and take either in a forward or lateral direction. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 865 

On reaching the opposite end they can move and take only laterally. 
The u Generals" may not face each other without intervening pieces. 
The object of the game is to checkmate the u General." 1 

The name of the Chinese game of Chess, TsSung fc*t, signifies the 
General's Game. It is regarded by them as having been invented by 
Wu Wang, B. C. 1169-1116, the founder of the Chow dynasty. 

The name kH, which is applied by the Chinese to a great variety of 
games played with men or pieces upon boards, appears to refer espe- 
cially to the counters. "The relations of the Chinese game to the 
Indian game are obscure. It was probably introduced at a compar- 
atively earl}' time from India. The manner of placing the men, at the 
intersections of the lines instead of upon the squares, constitutes one 
of the principal points of difference." 2 

Himly, in discussing the origin of Chinese Chess, expresses the 
opinion that while the game of chess had forerunners the real game 
originated in India as an effigy of war, and spread from India in the 
sixth or seventh century to the west to Persia, and to the east to 
Cambodia, where, as well as in Persia, the name is evidently derived 
from the Sanskrit Chaturanga (the four army divisions). In the Chinese 
game the names of neither the board, the game, nor the men point to a 
foreign origin, nor does tradition say anything about it. Himly states 
that the first sure trace of chess in China occurs in the Yew kwae luh, 3 

'For a more detailed account, consult Games, Ancient and Oriental; and for exam- 
ples of games, W. H. Wilkinson, A Manuel of Chinese Chess, Shanghai, 1893. 

Additional bibliography: 

K. Himly, The Chinese Game of Chess as Compared with That Practiced by 
Western Nations, Jour. X. C. Branch, R. A. S., for 1869 and 1870, No. VI. 

, Strcifziige in das Gebiet der Geschichte des Schaehspieles. Zeitschrift d. 

deutschcn morgenliindischen Gesellschaft, XXIII, p. 121. 

, Das Schachspiel der Chinesen. Zeitschrift d. deutschen morgenliindischen 

Gesellschaft, XXIV, p. 172. 

, Aumerkungeu in Bezichungauf das Schach-und andere Brettspiele. Zeits- 
chrift d. deutschen morgenliindischen Gesellschaft, XLI, p. 461. 

, Morgenliindisch oder abendlaudisch .' Zeitschrift d. deutschen niorgeu- 

liimlischcn Gesellschaft, XLIII, XLI V. 

, Die Abteilung der Spiele ini Spiegel der Mandschu-Sprache. T'oung Pao. 

H. G. Hollingsworth, A Short Sketch of the Chinese Game of Chess, called Kh'e. 
Also called Seang Kh'e, to distinguish it from Wei-Kh e, another game played by the 
Chinese, .Jour. X. ('. Branch, R. A. S., X. S., Ill, December, 1866 

Thomas Hyde, Historia Shahiludii, Oxford, 1695, p. 158. 

Antonius Van der Linde, Geschichte und Literatur des Schachspiels, Berlin, L874, 
I, pp. 85-94. 

Z. Volpicelli, Chinese Chess, Jour. X T . C. Branch, R. \. S., Will. No. 3. 

O. Von Mollendorff, Schachspiel der Chinesen, Mittheilnngen der dentsohen G 
ellschaft fiir'Natur und Volkerknnde Ostasiens, II, ii. 

Das schachahnliche Brettspiel der Chinesen. Deutsche Schachzeitung, Leipzig, 
1»91, Marz-Juli. 

- W. II. Wilkinson, A Manual of Chinese Chess, Shanghai. 1893. 

;: A. Wvlie, Notes on Chinese Literature. Shanghai, 1867, p. I" 1 "'. 
NAT MUS 96 55 



866 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



a bonk containing fairy tales by New Tsaug-joo, written near the end 
of the eighth century. 

52. T.TYANG-KEri. Chess. Korea. 

(a) Board and men. 1 

(b) Reproduction of native picture of the game. 2 

Korean chess is admittedly a variant of the Chinese. The design of 
the board is the same, but in the Korean game the files are carried 
across the "River," which is, in fact, ignored. The pieces, which are 




Fig. 170. 

KOREAN CHESS. 
From Korean Games 



not circular as in China, but octagonal, and vary in size according to 
their value, receive the following names: 



Tjyang, "General" (1) 


= King. 


. "Councillors" (2) 


= Bishops. 


Syang, -'Elephants" (2). 




Ma, "Horses" (2) 


= Knights 


Tcha, "Chariots" (2) 


= Castles. 


Hpo } "Cannons" (2). 




Pyeng and tjol, "Foot soldiers" (5) 


= Pawns. 



1 Cat. Nos. 167565, 1075(51, U.S.N.M. Collected hy Augustine Heard. 
2 From Korean Gaines. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



867 



For a detailed account of the game see W. H. Wilkinson in Korean 
(lames. 1 

:>;;. Shogi. Chess. Japan. 

((() Board- and men. 3 

(/>) Photograph of chess players. 

The Japanese chessboard consists either of a small table, on four 
feet, or a paper diagram. It is a square of nine or eighty-one squares, 
which are slightly oblong- in form. The pieces are placed in the squares, 
not on the intersections as in China. They consist of punt-shaped 
pieces of wood of different sizes, lying* flat upon the board, not upright, 
and slightly inclined toward the front; the directions of the point 
determining to whom the piece belongs. Unlike all other games of 




Fig. 171. 
CHESS PLAYERS. 

Japan. 

After native drawing by Boku-sen, reproduced in Korean Games. 

chess, the men are all of one color, and thus the same pieces serve for 
the player and his adversary. Another peculiarity is that any piece 
taken up may be entered by the adversary in any vacant place he 
chooses, and at any time he thinks desirable to enter it. such entry 
constituting his move. The names of the pieces on each side are as 
follows: 

sho, "General" (1) = King. 

Kin sho, "Gold Generals" (2). 

Gin sho, "Silver Generals'' (2 

Hisha, " Flying Wagon " (1) = Castle. 

Kdkkd, "Angle going" (1) = Bishop. 

Keima,* (2) = Knights. 

Kyosha, " Fragrant Chariots" (2). 

ffihei, "Foot soldiers" (9) = Pawns. 



'Bibliography: W.H.Wilkinson, Chess in Korea, Pall Mall Budget, Decembei 
1894; Idem, The Korean Repository. 

•Cat. No. 93218, U.S.N.M. Deposited by the Corcoran Art Gallery. 
Cat.No.7088, Mns. Arch.. Univ. Penn. 

•Written with the Chinese characters hwei md, which maj be translated " honor 
able horse." 



868 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896 



The Sho, or "General," stands in the center of the first row. He 
moves one square in any direction and loses the game when check- 
mated. The "Gold Generals" stand on either side of the King and 
move one square in any direction, except the two back diagonals. 

The "Silver Generals" stand on each side next to the "Gold Gen- 
erals" and move one square in any direction, except sideways and 
backward. The Keima stand next to the "Silver Generals" and have 
our Knight's move, but only forward. The Kyosha occupy the extreme 
ends and move any number of squares, perpendicularly only. The 
Hisha stands in front of the right-hand Keima and has the move of 
our Castle. The Kakko stands in front of the left-hand Keima and has 
the move of our Bishop. The " Foot soldiers," or Pawns, occupy the 
third row, and move and take one square forward only. 

The three rows nearest each side constitute the opposing camps. 
The "King" and "Gold Generals" retain their rank unchanged 
throughout the game, but the following pieces are promoted immedi- 
ately upon entering the enemy's camp, when they are turned over, 
their new names being written on their reverse sides: 

The Hisha becomes Ryo-wo, " Dragon King," and has the privilege, 
in addition to its former power, of moving one square diagonally like 
the Kakko. The Kakko becomes Ryoma, "Dragon Horse," and has 
the additional power of moving one square forward, sideways, or back- 
ward, like the Hisha. The "Silver Generals," Keima, Kyosha, and 
Hohei, or Pawns, can all attain the rank of "Gold Generals." 1 

54. Pa-tok. Pebble Game. Korea. 

(a) Board and men. 2 

(b) Beproduction of native picture of the game. 3 

The Korean game of Pa-tok is identical with the famous Chinese 
game of Wai kH, or "Game of Inclosing" (wai, "to inclose"), which is 
popular in Japan under the name of Go i (No. 56). 

It is played by two players upon a board special to the game, with 
two sets of men of different colors (fig. 172). The board is divided into 
squares of uniform color, 18 by 18, numbering therefore three hundred 
and twenty-four. The pieces are played on the intersection of the hori- 



1 For a detailed account of the game consult Games Ancient and Oriental, from 
which the above is taken. 

Additional bibliography: 

Francis L. Hawks, Narrative of an Expedition of an American Squadron to the 
China Seas and Japan under Command of Commodore M. C. Perry, Washington, 1856, 
I, p. 465. 

(Description, with drawing of board, by Dr. Daniel G. Greene.) 

K. Himly, Das japanische Schachspiel, Zeitschrift d. deutschen morgenlandisehen 
Gesellschaft, XXXIII, p. 672. 

V. Holt/, Japaniscb.es Schachspiel, Mittheilungen d. deutschen Gesellschaft f. 
Xatur- uud Volkerkunde Ostasiens I, V, Heft, 10. 

Aiitonius Van der Linde, Geschichte und Literatur des Schachspiels, I, pp. 91-96. 

2 Cat. No. 167564, U.S.N.M. 
1 loin Korean Games. 

4 In Manchu it is called Tonio, and the board on which it is played Toniko (Himly). 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



869 



zontaland vertical lines, and as there are nineteen lines id either direc- 
tion, the number of places on which the men can be played is 19 by 1!> = 
three hundred and sixty-one. 

The Korean board is made in the form of a small hollow table, differ- 
ing from the Japanese board, which consists of a solid block of wood. 
In China the boards are printed on paper. The men used in Korea 
are small, polished, black pebbles and irregular pieces of white shell. 
The players place their men alternately on any of the points of inter- 
section of the horizontal and vertical lines not already occupied, the 
object of the game being to occupy as much of the board as uossible, 




Fig. 172. 

BOARD FOR PA-TOK. 

Height, 11 inches; 16§ inches square. 
Korea. 

Cat. No. 16431, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 
From Korean Games. 

victory being decided in favor of the player who has command of the 
most spots. Space can be occupied in two ways: by placing men on 
the different points, and by forming an inclosure with one's men. the 
space thus contained being reckoned as one's territory. The latter 
gives the Chinese name to the game. 1 

The invention of the game of Wat h% of which some of the most inter- 
esting characteristics are exemplified in the Korean Pa-toh, is attributed 
by the Chinese to the Emperor Yao (B. C. 2356), or, accordin- to other 



1 For an account of Wat k% see Z. Volpicelli, Journal of the China Branch of the 
Royal Asiatic Society, XXVI, p. 80, Shanghai, 1894 : also: 

Herbert A. Giles, Wei Ch'i; or the Chinese Game of War. Temple Bar, XXIX, ]». 
194. Reprinted in Historic China and Other Sketches, London. 1882, ]>. 330. 

K. Hiinly, Die Abteilun.-jen der Spiolc im Spiegel del Mandschnsprache, T'onng 
Pao, VII, p. 135. 

Thomas Hyde, De Ludus Orientalilms, Oxford. 1694, p. l!'.~>. 



870 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



accounts, to the Emperor Slum (B. C. 2255). It is reputed as the first 
of games in China, Korea, and Japan, and one of the few which receive 
the approbation of the educated classes in those countries. Simple as 
the game appears, it embodies certain complex elements based upon 
primitive notions of the universe, which, although they may in part be 
secondary and late additions, are of the highest interest. Thus the 
pieces, black and white, are regarded as representing the night and 
the day; the four ''angles" the four seasons, and the three hundred 
and sixty-one points of intersection on the board (3G0 + 1) the number 
of days in the year. Nine stations at the intersections, which are 







































































i 


g 




















4, 


*_ 








A 


t 




















*w 


•f 
















































• 




































































































^ 


/ 






























/ 


\ 


















































































































































r 


) 






























i 


A. 






















L 





































































¥ 



Fig. 173. 

WAI K'l BOARD, SHOWING NAMES APPLIED TO FOUR QUARTERS. 

(After Volpicelli.) 



marked with spots upon the board, are, in the same manner, said to 
correspond with the Nine Lights of Heaven (the Sun, Moon, and the 
seven stars of the Dipper). 

The Chinese in the books which treat of the game divide the board 
into four equal parts, which they call "corners," and which they desig- 
nate by the names of the four tones in the spoken language: 

/'• h((/, for the lower left-hand corner; 

Shewng, for the upper left-hand corner; 

//", for the upper right hand corner; 

Yap, for the lower right-hand corner. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



871 




Fig. 174. 

BOARD FOR CHUKI. 

Height, 6£ inches; 16 inches square. 
Johore, Straits Settlements. 

Cat. No. 16625, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



f ill 



Fig. 175. 
ari:am;i:mknt OF Ml N ON cm Ki BOARD, 



872 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Iii each of these four sections a place is generally marked oat at a 
distance of four steps along the principal diagonal counted from the 
outer angle. Each spot is therefore equally distant from the two 
external sides of the section. These four points (fig. 173) are called 
Jean, sun, kw l arij and Win. The latter terms are the names given to the 
diagrams in the magic symbol of the universe, called the Pat lewd, or 
"Eight Diagrams," which stand for the directions Northeast, South- 
east, Southwest, and Northwest. Like the Nyout circuit, this game 
board has a cosinical significance and represents the world. As if to 
more fully embody and express the relation supposed to exist between 
the seasons, the world quarters — all things in the universe even to the 
tones of the voice that distinguish the meaning of words — as well as 
the notes of the musical scale, two copper wires are strung within the 
resonant chamber of the Korean board and emit a musical note when 
a piece is played. In accordance with the theory I have advanced as 
to the origin of games played upon boards without the intervention 
of dice, we may expect to find intimations of their use in earlier stages 
of this game. Such an earlier stage may be represented in the Malayan 
game of Chute (No. 55). 

55. Chuki. Board. 1 Johore, Malay Peninsula. (Fig. 174.) 

Chute is a game played upon a board (papan chute) in the form of 'a 
small table, marked with squares, ten on a side. The four squares in 

1 Cat. No. 16622, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. From the collection of His Highness the 
late Sultan of Johore at the Columbian Exposition. 

The writer is indebted to the Hon. Dato Meldrum, of Johore, Straits Settlements, 
for the rules of the game and a drawing of the board as set for a game reproduced 
in fig. 175. Mr. Charles P. G. Scott has courteously furnished the writer with the 
following references to the game in Malay and Javanese dictionaries. 
Malay chuki : 

"Chuke, name of a game resembling draughts; v. Juki. Juki, name of a game 
resembling draughts; v. Chuke." 1852, Crawford, Malay and Eng. Diet., pp. 39, 62. 

" Xuli [= ch uki], sorte dejeu d'echecs. Pdpan xuki amcts buah na permata, un e'eh iquier 
enordont les pieces itaient faites de pierres precieuses (S[ejarat] Mai [ay u] [= Chroniques 
malaises, imprime'es h Sincapour] 109)." 1875, Favre, Diet, rnalais-francais, 1:491. 

"Tjoeki [= chuki'], soort van verkeerspel, met 2 dobbelsteenen en .52 steentjes van twee 

hiUcnde klenren aan weerskanten, die meest van chineesch porcelein zijn [i. e. a sort of 

backgammon, with two dice and fifty-two pieces of two different colors on opposite 

Bides, which are usually of Chinese porcelain]." 1880, Von de Wall and Van der Tuuk, 

Maleisch-Nederlandscli woordenboek, 2:46. 

" Tjoeki, damspel; papan tjoeki, dambord." 1893, Klinkert, Nieuw Maleisch-Neder- 
landsch woordenboek, p. 277. 

Javanese ohuki: 

u Tjoeki [= chuki], soort van damspel, met honderd twintig ruiten, zestig zivarte en zestig 
witt€8tukken [i. e. a kind of checkers, with one hundred and twenty small squares, sixty 
black and sixty white pieces]." 1835, Roorda van Eysinga, Algemeen Javaansch en 
Nederdnitscfc woordenboek, p. 622. 

• Chul i. y[goko] K[rama] [i. e. langage vulgaire et langage ce"remoniel] (une sorte 
de jeu de dames)." 1875, Fa vie. Diet, jav.-francais, p. 87. 

Mr. Scott says: "I have not searched for the word outside of the Malayan lan- 
guages. If I were to express an opinion on the scanty records before me, 1 should 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



873 



tbe center of the board are in part occupied with a small raised square 
{t&rnpatmangJcolc, u ipla<ce of bowl "), leavingone hundred and twenty points 

of intersection exposed, on which sixty white and sixty black men (batu, 
"stones") are arranged. Two persons play alternately, letting three 
dice fall in a bowl, which is set on the raised square in the middle and 
taking off the board the pieces of the thrower, according to the casts. 1 





Fig. 176. 

GO PLAYERS (PRIEST AND WRESTLER). 

Japan. 

After native drawing by Bokn-seo, reproduced in Korean Games. 



Fig. 177. 
JUROKU MUSASHI. 

10 by 14 inches. 
Japan. 

Cat. Xo. 7090, Museum of Archaeology, 
University of Pennsylvania. 



The Japanese play a similar game upon the Go board, covering the 
squares, and taking off the pieces, but without the use of dice. 
5G. Go. Japan. Board and men. 2 

The game of Go is regarded by the Japanese as having been intro- 

say that the word and the thing are of foreign origin, very likely Chinese or Cochin- 
Chinese." In a subsequent communication, after comparison with the Chinese A-7, 
a generic name for games played with pieces or men, tailing /.'7, "chess," and the 
Cantonese chuk k'-i, " to play chess/' he concludes that these resemblances indicate 
that the Malay and Javanese chuki, which is almost certainly of extraneous origin, 
is ultimately from the Chinese. 

And later he sends the following entry in which the word is associated with a 
Chinese form in the Amoy dialect. 

" Tjuli, 'a kind of draughts played with white and black beans' (Pijnappcl, Op. 
cit. [Maleisch-Hollandsch woordenboek 2° drukj I, 116); probably -Chinese tioh ki 
'to play at draughts or chess' (Douglas, Op. cit. [Diet, of the Araoy vernacular] 
p. 210. Compare r Jjcki. v 1890, G. Schlegel, Chinese loanwords in the Malay lan- 
guage, p. 11 (Extrait du, • • ■ Toung pao, Archives ponr servir a Ytue de rhistoire, 
des langues, de la geographie et de l'ethnographie de TAsie orientals). 

" Tjeki 'a, kind of Chinese hazard game' (Pijnappel, <>p. cit.. I. 112 .' Comp. 
Tjuki." 1890, G. Schlegel, Op. cit,, p. 13. 

1 It will be observed that in this game the number of points are , GO by 2) -f- 1 = ono 
hundred and twenty-one, while on the Pa-tok board there are (60 by 6) -f- 1 = three 
hundred and sixty-one squares. 

■ 2 Cat. Nos. 93220, 93221, U.S.N.M. Deposited by the (ore,, ran Art Gallery, Wash- 
ington. 



874 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



duced into that country from China. The exact date is not known, but 
it is usually attributed to the eighth century A. D. It is a great favor- 
ite at the present day in Japan, 
especially among military men, 
being regarded as furnishing 
instruction in the art of war. 1 









y 


/ 






r \ 


X 








V 


\ 










It 



/ 



i 



fai 






Fig. 178. 
JUBOKD MUSASH1. 

Japan. 

From the Wa k:m .sail sai dztl e, reproduced in Korean Games. 



57. Juroku Musashi. u Six- 
teen Soldiers." The Japa- 
nese Game of Fox and 
Geese. Japan. 

(a) Board and men. 2 

(b) Japanese picture of 
players. 3 

The board has 8 by 8 squares, 
each of which is divided into two 
parts by a diagonal line (fig. 
177). In the games now cur- 
rent in Japan there is a triangle at the top of the board two squares 
wide, with its apex resting upon the middle of the upper side. Six- 
teen men {musashi, "soldiers") are arranged at the sixteen points of 
intersection at the sides of the square 
with the Taisho, or General, in the cen- 
ter. Two play, the " General " striving 
to capture the " Soldiers," and the lat- 
ter to block him. 

The board and men appear to be an 
expression of the same cosmieal ideas 
as are found in the game of Nyout, there 
being four men associated with each 
side of the square. The traditions of 
the game still more closely identify it 
with the Korean Nyout. 

A Chinese form of the game is fig- 
ured and described by Dr. Karl Himly 4 
under the name of SJuq) luk Icon tseung 
Jewan, or "The Sixteen Pursue the 
Commander" (fig. 17 ( .)). 

The board, he says, is seen in the 
streets, where the players — laborers, 




Fig. 179. 

SHAP LUK KON TSEUNG KWAN. 

China. 



After Hnnlv. 



i '. Korscheld, Das Go-Spiel, Mittheilungen d. dentschen Gesellschaft fiir Natur. 
and Volkerknnde Ostasiens, III, pp. 21-24. 
it. No. 7090, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

Cat. No. L7832, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

■Anmerk. in Beziehnng auf das Schach- u. andere Brettspiele, Zeitsckrift d. 
di-utscheii niorgenlaiidischen Gesellschaft, XLI, p. 469. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



875 



children, etc.— scratch it on the ground and use potsherds, etc., for 
pieces. The triangle bears the somewhat irreverent name of matt teh 
(privy). 

A variant of this game is figured by Hyde 1 (fig. 180), played upon a 
board with 5 by 9 rows, with twenty-eight pieces, one of which, the 

- tseung facet n, or "Commander," is placed in the 
center. The name he has transcribed in Chi- 
nese characters as yeung Ink 82? Icon tseung Jcwan. 







-=**** 



e 



-o 




Fig. 180. 

LUDUS DE SUBJUGANDI REBELLES. 

China. 

After Hyde. 



Fig. 181. 
TIGER GAME. 

Board, 12 by "JO inches. 
Johore, Straits Settlements. 

Cat. No. 16MS5, Museum of Ar 

Cmversity of Pennsylvania. 



58. Dam Hariman. Board for "Tiger Game," 2 the Malayan Game of 
Fox and Geese. 

Unpainted board, 12 by 20 inches, inscribed with diagram (fig. 181). 
The lines are incised in the wood and the board raised by two strips of 
wood nailed transversely across the bottom. 

Identical with the Hindu game, described by Berklots, 3 under the 
name of Mogol Putffhdn 4 (Mogul Path an), that is. Mogul against 
I'athan. 

'De ludo subjngaDdi rebelles, De Ludis Orientalibns, p. 5 

s Cat. No. 16385, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. Prom the collection of His Bighness the 

late Sultan of Johore at the Columbian Exposition. 

3 Qanoon-e-islam, Appendix, LIII. 

■•Another common Hindu game, said to he known throughout India, is called 
Pulijudam oi "tigergame." Three "tigers" are placed on the board fig. 182) at the 

points indicated by black spots. The other player lias fifteen u lambs," which lie lays 
down at the points of intersection, one by <>ne. altera at ing with the move of a ti_ 
The tigers endeavor to jump over and kill the Lambs, and the latter t<> pen in the 
tigers. 



876 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



In Pern a similar game is played on a board (fig. 183) under the name 
of Solit«rio. In Mexico a corresponding game (fig. 184) is called Coyote. 1 

In Siam we find the game of Sua ghin gnua, or "Tiger and Oxen' 7 
(tig. 185), and in Burma, Lay gwet Icyali. 

There are three hig tigers and eleven or sonie- 
t in i* 'S twelve little ones. The object is for the 
big tigers to hunt down on a draft board and eat 
the little ones. If, however, the cubs can corner 
the big ones and prevent them from taking a leap, 
the latter have to succumb. - 




Fig. 182. 

tiger game (Pulijudam). 

India. 











































1 






Fig. 183. 

SOLITARIO. 

Peru. 





The Samoan men at the Columbian Exposition at Chicago described 
a native game to the writer under the name of Moo. It was played 
with pebbles upon the squares of a mat by two persons. One had a 



\ 
-JL I _^J ^ 






Fig. 184. 

COYOTE. 

Mexico. 



Fig. 185. 

SUA GHIN GNUA. 

Siam. 



number of white stones, the other a black piece. The rules appeared 
to be the same as Fox and Geese. 



In Hawaii, Mr. James Jackson 



■A modern printed sheet for the Juego del Coyote from Mexico in the University 
Museum (Cat. No. 16384) bears a diagram identical with the game of Fox and Geese 
(fig. 18G). The rules given are the same. 

-The Barman, II, p. 83. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



877 



Jarves speaks of Kouane, u an intricate game of draughts played with 
colored stones upon a flat stone ruled with a large number of squares." 1 

In Madagascar, Sibree 2 describes a game 
resembling draughts as a very common 
pastime. It is played with pebbles or 
beans on a board or piece of smooth stone 
or earth having thirty-two divisions or 
holes, much in the same way as the game 
of Fox and Geese. 

59. Fox and Geese. United States, 1876. 
Paper diagram. 3 (Fig. 186.) 




Fig. 186. 

FOX AND GEESE. 

United States. 



60. A-wi-thlak-na-kwe. " Stone War- 
riors." Zuni Indians. New Mexico. 
Diagram of board and set of men. 4 
Played by two or four persons upon a square board divided into one 

hundred and forty-four squares, each intersected by diagonal lines. At 





















^^v* 






























































\f 




















































X 














































XX 






















































































































































s ?\ 

































































Fig. 107. 

GAME OF STONE WARRIORS. 
Zufii Indians, Xc w Mexico. 

Drawing furnished by Mr. Frank Hamilton Cashing 



1 H. Carrington Bolton, Some Hawaiian Pastimes, Jour. Am. Folk-lore, IV. p. 22. 

2 James Sibree, jr., Madagascar and Its People, p. 852. 
3 Cat. No. 17577, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

4 Cat. No. 16550, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. Reproductions made by Mr. 1". II. 

Cushing, who furnished the account of the game. 



878 



RErORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



tlif opening of the game each player places six men in the center of 
the six squares at ltis side of the board. The latter usually consists of 
a slab of stone pecked with the diagram (tig. 187). The men cousist of 
disks of pottery about 1 inch in diameter, made from broken vessels, 
those upon one side being distinguished by being perforated with a 
small hole, while those of the other side are plain. The object of the 
game is to cross over and take the opponent's place, capturing as many 
men as possible by the way. The moves are made one square at a time 
along the diagonal lines, the pieces being placed at the points of inter- 
section. When a player gets one of his opponent's pieces between two 
of bis own it may be taken, and the first piece thus captured may 
be replaced by a seventh man, called the "Priest of the Bow," which 







Fig. 188. 

POTTERY DISKS USED AS MEN IN GAMES. 

Diameters, 1£, 1, and If inches. 
Cliff dwellings, Mancos Canyon, Colorado. 

Cat. Nus. 23556-23559, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

may move both on the diagonal lines and on those at right angles. A 
piece may not be moved backward. When four persons play, those on 
the North and West play against those on the South and East. 

VOCABULARY. 

The board, A te a Ian e, "stone plain." 

The straight lines, a kivi we, "Canyons," or u arroyas." 

The diagonal lines, 6 na we, "trails." 

The ordinary men, A w\ thlaJc na lewe. 

The seventh piece. I'i-thlan shi-wani (Mosond), "Priest of the Bow." 

The latter pieee by power of magie is enabled to cross the canyons. 

The game is commonly played upon housetops, which are often found 

marked with the diagram. The game, or something similar to it, 

was widely distributed among the Pueblo Indians of the Southwest, 

s shown by the numerous pottery disks, which were used for it 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. <S79 

found among- the ruins. Its antiquity is attested by the presence of 
such disks among the remains in the cliff houses. Four such disks 
fromMancos Canyon, in the University Museum, are shown in fig. 188. 1 




Fig. 189. 

THE GAME OF TO-TO-L6S-PI. 

Moki Indians, New Mexico. 
After an unpublished drawing by Dr. J. Walter Fewkes. 

Dr. J. Walter Fewkes 2 has described a somewhat similar game as 
existing among the Moki Indians of New Mexico under the name of 
To-to-los-pi. It can be played by two or more parties. A rectangular 

1 Disks roughly shaped from fragments of earthenware vessels were found by Mr. 
Clarence B. Moore in mounds of tlie Georgia Coast (Jour. Academy of Natural 
Sciences, Philu., XI), of which specimens contributed by him arc contained in the 
Museum of Archaeology of the University of Pennsylvania (Cat. Nos. 20160-20162), 
They vary from 1.1 to 2 inches in diameter. Similar pottery disks, some perforated, 
are found in many localities in the United States. Mr. r. . K. L.iidlaw writes that 
Large numbers of disks of stone and pottery are found in the ash beds of ancient 
village sites in Ontario. Canada, east and northeast of Lake Simcoe. They are sel- 
dom bored, and the pottery disks, which range from 1 inch to 2 inches in diameter, 
are made from shards, and have the original carve of the pot. Thej bear no mark- 
ings, and in a great majority of cases the edges arc not ground smooth. He suggests 
their probable use in games. Pottery disks, all made from shards, some with central 
perforations, are found in Peru. Bolivia, and Argentina, ami doubtless other South 
American sites. 

-Journal of American Ethnology and Ajrohasology, II. p. 159. 



^" KPOBX OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

figure tig. into a large number a s, is drawn upon 

- - rarching or by using a different colored stone as 

on. A diagonal line, tuh-ki-o-ta, is drawn a< : — the rectangle from 
north w ind the players station themselves al end 

this line. When tw play, a single - n acts as pla 

and the other membe "he party act as advisers. The first play is 

won by sfi _ leaf or corn husk with one side bla I. The pie as 

which are bean or corn ken. ncs and wood, or small 

_:nents of any substance of mark r. The players were sta- 

tioi. h end of the diagonal line, tuk-lci-o-ta. They move their 

upon this line, but never across it. (On this line the game is 

_ht. The moves which are made are intricate, and the player may 

move one or more pieces si: r ely. Certain positions entitle him to 

this privilege. He may capture, or. as he terms it. kill one or more of 

e play. In this re* :he game is not unlike 

Iters, to capture the pie : lie opponent seems to be the 

mainob t I the game. The che ekera, however, must be concentrated 
and always move ard the sontlic si mer. 1 

This game is now rarely played on the East Mesa, but is still ne 
Oraibi. It > said to have 1 layed m ancient rimes by the sun and 

moon or by other mythical | are iges. Figures f this game formerly 
existed on the ro ke ear the village 01 Walpi, and maybe the same 
erred to by Bourke. 

jbLLng the above seem to have existed widely among the 
American tribe-. Mrs. VT, W. Brown : gives the following account of 
a game of the Wabanaki Indians: 

Ko-io-nag'n has a resemblance to the game of Checkers, but. although nearly all 
are mor- : teae proficient at the latter game, there are only a few who understand 
lo-lo-nagr m. This, unlike any other game, may be played by male and female oppo- 
nents. It is the least noisy, the skillful play requiring deliberation and undivided 
attention. A smooth surface is marked off into different- sized spaces, and piec 
wood, round and square, marked to qualify value, are generally used, though some- 
times carved bone is substituted. 

This may be the game referred to by Easle among the Xorridgewok 
Indians, where he says: ■• Un antre jeu ou Tow ph grains sur des 

tur) manmadoo 

•\x would appear from Dr. Fewk - - a] rich of the board that only one player 
moved towa - -utheast and that his opponent went in the opposite direction. 

^ me Indoor and Outdoor Games of the Wabanaki Indians, Trans. Roy. Soc. 
U 1888, p. 41. 



CHE>S AND PLAY1NGH AJ B81 

The other principal f arrow-deriv* _ g a that in which a 

number of staves, - or other subs i <>r 

divided at random, originally t rmine placi directly, 

the number and thence the place. Like the] ling class, I -widely 

distributed throughout the world. The di vinatoi ss isoff 

games are naoi rly manifest I the writer than those in which the 

rheir substitutes are used, and the derivation of the 
implements from arrows more easily demonstrable. 

An examination of the _ at the 

custom of marking them in such manner that each individual might 
^uishhisown _ From this, both in the Old and 

the >»"ew World, the arrow came to stand as the token and syn". 
man." and as such, among many othei - »yed in 

diviuatory games. It appears that the marks of the arrows of the 
American Indians, which are placed upon the shaftments, refer ne 
would seem, to th A names of Their ownei s. but to their ow; 

place in tl ein of classification accord;: g 'he directions in the 

circuit of the clans. At a later period ipment we tind these 

nical marks replaced by the written name of the owner, as in E 
ern Asia. Traces still survive, even here, as on the practice arrows 
Korea No. 78 of the earlier system. 

The method of marking in America is by means bands 

ribbons painted upon the shaftments. It maybe assumed that a 

quiver made up of the different arrows of the individuals of a tribe 

would represent the Foui Quarters and the intermediary points. It is 

such perfect quivers and their conventionalized representatives that 

stitute the implements of m _ fed in the games which foil 

In connection with tl here are exhibited several seri< 

aether with a variety of objects i g by the writer as having been 

.derived from the employment of arro symbols of personality. 

61. Toxg-Kat. Korea. 

Quiver of Ceremonial Arrows. 2 Worn as au emblem of rank by 
Korean officials in military court-dress. 

The symbolism of the arr - :iin£in his vice-president 

address Section H of the American Association for the A fc of Sci- 

ence, Springfield, > _ - him, "owner's marks, on arrov 

_ned primarily - - gna of mere pose ssi They were indi ther. of 

lace in the coamieally arranged circuit of the tribe, of the man who made and 
possessed the arrows. It is probable that such marl. laced on ar: 

to serve as protective and directive potencies. By imparting hat of th. □ 

mality to the arrows, their special aid to him v ime 

their flight was endowed with the breath or wiud of th bieh he and 

r alike belonged. It naturally followed that, 
as belong _ , s were these arro - _ 3 essentially of fa 

and of him — so much so. that ceremonially the or the man hiu 

even more intimately than do on Big ' odforna." Bol 

this highly important paper, in which th a s unpublished. 

1147. U.S.N.M. Collected by Hon. YV. W. Rockhill. 
NAT MUS 96 



882 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

(b) Reproduction of native picture of Korean officials in military 
court dress wearing quiver with arrows. 1 

The quiver exhibited has ten arrows, while in the native picture five 
arrows are represented as being worn. These are regarded by the 
writer as corresponding with the Five Directions, and as symbols of 
regnal or universal authority. 2 They are worn by the King himself, as 
well as officers who receive orders from him. The actual arrows are 26 
inches in length, made of lacquered bamboo with white feathering and 
no points. The quiver is of Japanese leather ornamented with silver 
disks and sewed along the edges with colored silk. 3 

Chinese generals wear (or wore) a set of six arrows as an insignia of 
rank. A set of such arrows (Cat. No. 17686) in the Museum of the Uni- 
versity, picked up in August, 1894, on the field of A-San in Korea, three 
days after the battle, by Dr. E. B. Landis, are six in number (fig. 190), 
The shafts are of white wood, 37 inches in length, feathered with two 




Fig. 190. 

CEREMONIAL ARROW. 

Insignia of Chinese general. 

One of set of six, inscribed with names of twelve " branches." 

Length, 42 inches. 

Cat. No. 17686, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

feathers and painted with a red ribbon on the shaftment and at the 
nock. The points are of iron, leaf-shaped and painted black, and are 
fastened in the shaftment with a wrapping of cherry-bark. They 
are painted in red with the twelve characters which stand as names for 
the Twelve Branches or Duodenary Cycle. 4 These signs are used to 

1 Korean (Juries. 

2 The flag of a Chinese general in the University Museum (Cat. No. 16843) consists of 
live vertical stripes, of green, yellow, black, white, and red, the colors of the East, 
Middle, North, West, and South. 

'Walter Hough, Korean Collections in the National Museum, Report U. S. Nat. 
Mils., 1891, p. 4X1. 

4 Used in connection with the Ten Stems to form a cycle of sixty combinations 
employed by the Chinese from remote antiquity for the purpose of designating suc- 
cessive days, and, since the Han dynasty, -applied to the numbering of years. Twelve 
animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Hare, Dragon, Serpent, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Cock, Dog, 
and Pig are associated with the Twelve Branches, and arc believed to exercise an 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CAB - 



883 



indicate the twelve points of the Chinese compass, .' corresponding 
to the North, mdu to the Bast, ng> to the South, and ya* to the v 
From this peculiarity it is oot improbable that these arrows were 

originally intended for divinatory purposes. 

82. P-ai rs'iM. "Notice Tally." 1 Fig. 191. Chinese in the United 
States. 

Tally used to assemble members of the Chinese gamblers and shop- 
keepers' guild m Philadelphia. In common use for similar purp 

in China, where bamboo instead of varnished 
wood is used. This tally bears on one side the 
name of the gamblers' guild, and on the other 
the name of one of its members, with a blank for 
the insertion of the hour of the meeting-. a s 
occasion requires. The tallies are kept by a 
member of the guild, who summons the members 
by sending each his tally. This eonstitutes the 
credentials of the person bringing it to the 
meeting. 

These tallies are direct descendants of the 
arrows used in nmre primitive conditions for the 
same purpose Their name. feVm, is almost iden- 
tical with the Chinese name for arrow, and their 
form still retains a suggestion of their origin. 
Compare with the tallies used in the game of 
Chong ufi rh'au (So. 27 . 

Nin kan. New Year Cards. Chinese in the 
United States and China. 
Rectangular strips of red paper, 4j by 9 inches. 
twice folded, and bearing personal names and 
names of simp companies. Widely exehan_ 
at the New Year season, when they are un- 
folded and pasted in a row in the shop or 
dwelling, where they are kept during the year. 

These cards maybe regard*-. I as belonging lie same family as the 
message tally, or arrow, with the name of a man. Like it they ceremo- 
nially Stand f<»r the individual whose name they bear, and as such are 
preserved as pledges and tokens, given each other by mem':' a the 
e elan and their friends, for the year. The name lean means pri- 
marily a Blip of bamboo ••formerly used for making notes on." 

■mi. arable with the "year cards" are the ho-hj>ai (Chinese, "name 

tablets." which all the male inhabitants of Korea are required by law to carrv. 

influence, according to the attributes a mr, day, 

to which, throngh the duodenary cycle of symbols - actively, appertain 

The usage i-. admittedly of foreign origin and i- traced t<. intercourse with Tartar 
nations. Mayer's Chi auual. Pt. 2, pp. 2 

l Cat. No. 15815, Bins. Arch., Univ. Tenn. 



_ 191. 

-ICE TALLY [I'tli ts' 

Chinese in Unite<l Stal 

From Korean Games. C . 
Museum of Archjeolot-y 
of Pennsylvania. 



884 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



When a free-bora Korean boy reaches the age of 15, lie has a small wooden label cut, 
which he (arrics with him. This label is made of pear wood or mahogany, and is 

about 2 inches in length by i inch broad. It is inscribed in Chinese characters. 
Across the top is the name of the Pon (Chinese pu) or ward to which the boy belongs. 
Then in a line below the designation han-ryang, "leisure fellow," that is, not in gov- 
ernment service, and the boy's name with the date of his birth. The date on which 
tlu> label is made is cut on the reverse. This label must be sealed by an official of 
the treasury, who brands it with a hot iron and registers the boy's name and other 
particulars. When a boy enters the Tjin-sd (Chinese, tsun sz'), he has another tablet 
cut, this time of boxwood, with his proper title instead of han-ryang. Upon passing 
the military or civil examinations, the label is cut from black horn, and upon obtain- 
ing the first grade an ivory label is permitted. Since writing the above account, 
which was dictated by Mr. Pak Young Kiu, Korean Charge d' Affaires at Washing- 
ton, I have received from Dr. E. B. Landis, at Chemulpo, two specimens of ho-hpai 




Fig. 192. 
NAME TABLET (Uo-hpai). 

Length, 3§ inches. 
Korea. 

Cat. No. 19845, Museum of Archaeology, University 
of Pennsylvania. 




Fig. 193. 
NAME TABLET (Ho-hpai). 

Length, 3§ inches. 
Korea. 

Cat. No. 19846, Museum of Archaeology, 
University of Pennsylvania. 



(figs. 192, L93), concerning which he gave the following particulars: u l have simply 
had reproductions made, as they are not in use since the war. They are, however, 
exact reproductions, with the exception of the magistrate's seal, which was always 
bin nt on the hack. At the top, reading from right to left, are the words 3 'on Hak and 
Han Ityang. These refer to the class of society to which he belongs. The first is 
■ Patrician" and the second "Plebeian." After this follows the name and surname 
and in the lower corner the year of birth. On the back is the year when the ho-hpai 
expires. It is renewed every three years. There is another kind called yo-hpai (Plate 
which was used by the servants of the various officials as proof of identity when 
drawing their monthly wages, which was always paid in kind." Yo-hpai (Chinese, 
in p'di) is defined in the THotionaire Corien Frangaia as " plaque dessoldatssurlequelle 
leur now est eerit." The secret agents of the king in Korea, called E-sa (Chinese, 
ii .s:' . used a plate of silver engraved with a horse as an emblem of their royal 
authority. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 33. 






Identification Tablets (Yo-hpai). 

Korea. 

Cat Nos. 20099, 2009S. Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



Report ot U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culin. 



Plate 34. 





Paizah of the Mongols. 

Length. 6 inches. 
From a specimen found in East Siberia. 

From the Book of Ser Marco Polo, by Col. Henry Yule. C B. 



Report ot U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 35. 








Bamboo Money. 
I". S. National Museum. Glover collection. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 36. 




Obverse of Jade Audience Ring. 

Diameter, 4} inches. 

Ancient China. 

Cat. Xo. 13066->. U.S.N.M. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



885 




Fig. 194. 

OBVEBSB OF CHINESE COIH 

(Ts'in). 

China. 



Analogous to these Korean objects are the tablets of authority carried by tin- Mon- 
gol princes, which arc described by Marco Polo (Plate 34 . These were of silver, 
silver gilt, and of gold, and were inscribed with a legend commanding rasped in 
the name of the Kaan. To this was added the figure of a lion, and below the sun and 
moon, while the highest lords received a tablet with gerfalcons. I have been led to 
referto these I'd): a It, which are so fully described and illustrated by Colonel Yule 
(Marco Polo, Book II, C. VII, Note 2), through their sug- 
gesting in connection with other objects a theory of the 
origin of the so-called "cash" or current money of China 
(fig. 194). These coins, which uniformly bear the name of 
the regnal period, by which the sovereign is known to the 
world, may be regarded as having been, like the Pd'izah, 
emblems of authority emanating from the sovereign. Spec- 
imens of Chinese bamboo money (Plate 35), similar in 
appearance to the Korean Tio-hpai, occur in the Glover col- 
lection in the United States National Museum. 

In ancient China, accord- 
ing to the Book of History 
(Shu King, Sec. II), the 
nobles are described as hav- 
ing five kinds of scepters 

made of precious stones. Of these, the two lowest 
classes were round with a hole in the center and 
about 5 inches in diameter. A specimen in the United 
States National Museum (Cat. No. 130662, gift of 
Chang Yen Hoon, His Imperial Chinese Majesty's 
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary) 
(Plate 36) is made of jade, and is of the kind desig- 
nated as Ink pik, or "grain-besprinkled slab." 

We have in these scepters an ancient emblem of 
authority corresponding in form to the coin. When 
we examine the name of the latter, we find it to be 
v.. — J I ts'in, a word differing but slightly from tsm } ••arrow," 
from which I regard both the coin and tablet as 
having in all probability been derived. The charac- 
ter for ts'in is written with the radical for "spear" 
doubled, with the radical for •'metal" on the left. It 
differs in the substitution of metal for p* in, a "leaf*' 
or "slip,*' from the character tsin used in writing the 
name of the Korean playing cards, htou-tjyen (Chinese, 
tun tsin) (No. 77). 

Analogous to the Korean ho-hpai are the amulet 
bags (mamori bukuro t protection bag), which Japanese 
children used to wear outside their dresses with a 
ticket containing their names and residences attached. 
"At a later period they are concealed: but all <] 
wear them during their natural lifetime. Some of 
them contain Sanskrit characters, others pictures or 
names of Shinto divinities or Buddhist saints, while all contain the navel ooi 
the wearer with the date of his birth inscribed. 

The Tlingit make and carry small flat bone and irory tablets. A number collected 
by Lieut. George T. Emmons, U. S. N., in the United States National Museum Cat. 
No. 168372) are represented in figs. 195-200. 



r>s 



PS 5 



Fig. 195. 
TLINGIT TABLET. 

Length, CJ inches. 

Alaska. 
Cat. No. 168879a, r.S.N.M. 



'Glimpses of Dreamland, translated by Ludovic MTordwin; The Chrysanthemum, 
II, No. 2, Note. p. 50. 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Thr designs are incised and filled, in with red paint. These the writer is disposed 
to class with the Korean ho-hpai as personal emblems. < >ne of them (fig. 195) is in the 






Fig. 196. 

tlevgit tablets. 

Length. 4J to 4§ inches. 

Alaska. 

Cat. No. 1683735, c, d, U.S.X.M. 

form and is marked like the feathered shaftment of an arrow. It hears at the upper 
end on one side the word yocasa inscribed in Roman letters. Another somewhat 



3 



A^k 




J 

197. 
TLI>'GIT TABLETS. 

Length. 4 to 4| inches. 
Ala-ska. 

-.N.M. 






-> f& 



similar tablet in the University Museum (Cat. No. 15319) is represented in fig. 201. 
It is not impossible that this string of bones collected by Lieutenant Emmons and 



CHESS AND rLAYING-CARI>S. 



S-7 



stated by him to be part of the paraphernalia of a Shaman are analogous to string 
of leg bones of th«* Arctic fox. which Mr. Bryant found in dm among the Arctic 
Highlanders. See p. 719.) 



M 





■D $ 




_ i - 

TLI>"GIT TABLETS. 

Lengths, 2i. 3^, and 4J inches. 

Cat. No. 16*3724, i, *, U.S.X.M. 

64. Ta>zaku. A narrow strip of thiek cardboard. 2| by 14i inches, 
used for writing verses od. Japan. 

The usual size of the tanzdku is about 2h by 14 J inches. They are 
frequently made of a thin strip of wood. The name is a Japanese 
transcription of the Chine-- 
tiin vh'a); •• a short list or 
memoranda."' ; and the object 
itself may be regarded as a 
survival from the time when 
books were engraved on simi- 
lar strips of bamboo, like 
existing Buddhist scriptures 
in Siam. The temple lots, 
mikuji (Xo. OS . and the 
Korean cards No. 77 cor- 
respond with a bundh 
tanzaku, which are still rep- 
uted on and give name 
t«> certain card-pieces in the 
Japanese pack No. SI). 

The ancestry of the book 
in Eastern Asia may 
traced, not only to the engraved strips of bam 





. 199. 
TLINGIT TABI 

Length. 3i to 3} ii 



1 Hepbnrn. A more obvious explanation would be found in Uin ih'ak, a sii._ 
of bamboo. 



... 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 189G. 



in tin' opinion of the writer, to the bundle of engraved or painted 
arrow-derived Blips used in divination. Indeed the Korean name for 
the pack <-f cards, ////. is defined by the Chinese tit, applied in Korea 
to a complete set of volumes of the same work. 






Fig. 200. 
TL1XGIT TABLETS. 

Lengths. 3g, 3[£, and 2| inches. 
Cat. No. 168372n, o, p, U.S.X.M. 



The folding fan of China and Japan is not unlikely to have origi- 
nated from these tanzaku or writing- slips, which the nobles carried in 
order to make memoranda when in the presence of the sovereign. The 

fan is constantly used for writing 
upon, one side originally being left 
blank for the purpose. In Japan 
a folding fan, ogi (fig. 202), formed 
an essential part of the ceremonial 
costume of a gentleman, and was 
carried in front in the belt. Refer- 
ring to the folding fan, Mr. Giles 
says : 




io%ranm 



Fig. 201. 

ALASKA INDIAN TABLET. 

Length, 4 inches. 

Alaska. 



. Ciiiversity of Penn- 
ania. 



The number of its bones or ribs is a 
matter which is by no means left to 
chance. Sixteen, including the two 
outer pieces, may be quoted "as the 
Standard ; but fane made in certain localities have more, as man}' as thirty-two, and 
ve,, thirty-six. The reason why the number sixteen is preferred is that 
b a fan opens into a convenient number of spaces to receive the poetical inscrip- 
tion, which custom lias almost, but not altogether, tied down to a given number of 
line* 



'Herbert A.Giles, On Chinese Fans, Historic China and other sketches, London, 
p. 299. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 37. 




Tanzaku. 

Length. 14 inches. 

Japan. 

In the author's collection. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



sx!) 



66. Yeki. Divination. Japan. 
Fifty splints <>i 1> imboo, 
zeivhalcUj and six wooden pi ibins, 
tangi. 1 

The sticks may vary in length 
from 2 to 14 inches, the set ex- 
hibited being 14 inches in length. 
The wooden prisms, which are 
usually made of shitan, or red 
sandalwood, have two contigu- 
ous sides plain and two marked 
with a transverse cut about 1 
inch wide, which is painted red 
(tig. 203). These blocks, called 
sangij or •• calculating sticks," 
are placed before the fortune- 
teller, parallel to each other and 
with their plain faces uppermost. 
The fortune teller takes the 
bundle of splints iu his right 
hand and raises them reveren- 
tially to his forehead. He then 
places the ends in the palm of 
his left hand and shuffles them 
with a rotary motion (fig. 204). 
Taking the bundle iu his right 
hand, he places one so that it 
projects between his little linger 
and his third finger (rig. 205). 
Dividing the remainder in two 
parts, he places one of the bun- 
dles between his middle finger 
and forefinger and the other be- 
tween his forefinger and thumb. 
Thelatterbuudle is then counted, 
taking four splints at a time 
around the Pat Jcwd or ki Eight 
Diagrams" (iig. 206), beginning 
at the one consisting of un- 
broken lines designated by the 
Chinese character A'/'//, and cor- 
responding with the Northwest. 
When the count has been made 
around the diagrams as many 




roLDDvn kw [hak$hin, u black fen"). 

nt<>:i. China. 

anU. 



' Cat. No. 175655 U.S.N.M. (oft S at Culin. 



890 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



times as possible there will remain less than eight sticks. This re- 
mainder indicates the complement of the destined diagram according 
to the arrangement shown in fig. 200. 

The trigram indicated is then recorded by means of the sangi, the 
faces of the three nearest the fortune-teller being turned to correspond 
with the broken or unbroken lines of the trigram. The zeichaku are 
then again manipulated and the three remaining sangi turned in the 
same manner to agree with the trigram designated by the count. The 
indication obtained from these two operations is then referred to the 
corresponding diagram in the Yilc King or "Divination Classic," and 
the fortune teller draws his conclusions from the text which explains 
it, aided by traditional interpretations. 

In this system of divination we have an illustration of the use of 
arrow-derived splints divided at random to determine the number, 
place being ascertained by counting around a diagram, the Pat Jcivd, 
symbolic of the World Quarters. It is also practised at the present 




Fig. 203. 

CALCULATING BLOCKS (sangi) FOB YEKI. 

Length, 4| inches. 
Japan. 

Cat. No. 175G55, U.S.N.M. 

day in Korea and in China, having doubtless been derived both in 
Japan and Korea from China. It is described minutely in one of the 
appendices to the " Divination Classic." l According to the Chinese 
record, the stalks of a plant, the Ptarmica Siberica were used, those 
which grew on the grave of Confucius being most highly esteemed. 

The assumption that the zeichaku (Chinese, shai chuk) 2 were originally 

anows is based upon analogy, the arrow derivation of many similar 

objects employed in divination being clearly apparent. The sangi 

I hinese, siin mule), or "calculating sticks" maybe regarded as sur- 

1 Appendix III, ( 'Imp. it. p. 51. 

M. ( '- de Harlez (Les Figures Symboliques du Yi-King, Journal Asiatique, New 

i \. j). 280) has given a translation of an explanation of the method of divination 

by means of the splints affixed to the Manchu-Chinese edition of the Yik King of 

the Emperor Kien Lung. A translation of the rules for divination with the sticks 

v<mi in Takashima Ekidan, Tokio, 1893. 

Shai, " to divine with slips of Milfoil; the most efficacious is from the grave of 

Confucius: " Chuk, '-bamboo." Williams' Tonic Dictionar v. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



8!>1 



riving from or suggested by the two-faced staves, from which the 
diagrams originated. 

The above-described method of divination lias a counterpart in the 
Chinese game of Fan Pan, or "repeatedly spreading out," which is 
played in the gambling houses established by the immigrants from 
China in many American cities. Fan Pan 
is played with a quantity of Chinese brass 
"cash," for which buttons and other small 
objeets are sometimes substituted. These 
take the place of the splints or zeickaku. 
The dealer covers a handful of these cash, 
taken at random from the pile, with a brass 
cup. 1 The players lay their wagers on the 
four sides of a square, numbered "one,'' 
"two/' "three," and "four." The dealer 
then divides off' the " cash " under the cup 
by fours, using for the purpose a tapering 
rod 2 of teak wood, about 18 inches in 
length. When all the fours are counted 
off, the winner is determined by the num- 
ber remaining. 3 In these operations we 
have the random partition of "cash" 
substituted for that of splints, and the 
square with its four numbered sides (cor- 
responding with the Four Quarters) for the 
Vat lied or "Eight Trigrams" around 
which the splints are counted. 

Analogous also to the Chinese and Jap- 
anese method of divination with splints 
is the Malagassy SiJeidy, a system of 
fortune-telling in common use in Mada- 
gascar, in which beans, rice, or other small 
objects that can be easily counted or 
divided, are employed. A quantity of 

beans are placed in a heap, and from these a handful is taken ;ii ran- 
dom. From this handful the diviner withdraws first two. then two 
more, and so on successively until two only are left, or, it may be, the 
odd number, one. The process is repeated and tin- remainders, one or 
two, are marked in tables of squares, from which the determinations 
are afterwards made. 

The method of marking down, by means of one or two dots, is iden- 
tical with that frequently employed in divining with the splints. The 
process is repeated four times, one of sixteen combinations being 




; 204. 
METHOD (>K >UV\ ri.lNu ZBICHAKU. 

Japan. 
From K"f. . 



1 T'dn k'oi or " spreading out cover. '' 

2 T l an pong, "spreading-out rod.'' 

3 Stewart Culin. The Gambling Games of the Chinese iu America, Philadelphia, 

1891; also, The Origin of Fiin fan, Overland .Monthly. August, 1 - 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



formed, which are given, with their Mai ag assy names, in the following 
table: 



Jama. 



9 * ' Adikizy. 



Taraika. 



10 * ' Alezany. 






3 ' Aditsimay. 



11 * Ale mora. 






4 ' * AJokola. 



12 * ' Adibidjady. 



• « 



5 * * Asoravary. 



13 * ' Kizo. 



6 * Asoralahy. 



14 " Adikiasajy. 



7 ' Molahidy. 



15 * Saka. 



Mikiarija. 



16 



Vontxira. 



Iii order to explain the Mala°,assy names, which in part at least are 
Arabic, M. Steinschneider 1 gives a table, compiled from a Hebrew 
lot book in Munich, with the Arabic, Hebrew, Latin, and Berber desig- 
nations of these combinations of dots. The figures, he states, are 
supposed to represent the astrological " houses" connected with the 
planets. They are distinguished as male and female — a distinction 
which we may assume exists in the single and double dots, as in the 
unbroken and broken lines. Steinschneider assumes that this sup- 
posed Arabic science was transplanted by scholars like Abraham ibn 
ESssa and Jehuda al-Charisi, who traveled from Spain in Europe and 
the Orient in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, through so-called 
lot books into Hebrew. 

Sibree relates that in a simple form of SUcidy an indefinite number of 
grass Stalks are counted off in twos until only one or two are left. 2 

Zeitachrift d. dentschen morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, XXXI, p. 762. 
- For farther references to Sikidy see: 

Zeitechift d. dentschen niorgenliindischen Gesellschaft, XXXI, p. 543. 
William Ellis, History of Madagascar, London, 1838, p. 431. 
James Sibree, jr.. Madagascar and Its People, London, 1870, p. 392. 
. lames Sibree, jr., The Great African Island, London, 1880, p. 308. 
James Sibree, jr., Madagascar before the Con-! nest, London, 1896, pp. 162,285. 
J-. 1 >ahl<\ Antananarivo Annual. II. p. NO. 



CHESS AND PLAYINfi -CARDS. 



893 



A method of fortune telling, based upon the sixteen combinations of 
single and double dots, taken four at a time, worked by means of a 
table not unlike that employed in sikidy, is to be found in a popular 
handbook entitled, "The Gypsy Dream Book and Fortune Teller," 
If. J. Ivers & Co., New York, under the title of "The Oraculum; or, 
Napoleon Buonaparte's Book of Fate." 
The diagrams or dot combinations: . . . etc., are discovered by 



making four rows of dots at random 



and afterwards count- 



ing them, even yielding . . and odd . 

Reviewing the references in the Greek and Roman classics to divin- 
atory practices with rods resembling those above described, there is to 
be found in Ammianus Marcellinus 1 the following 
account of the custom of the Alani: 

They predict the future in a marvelous way. They take 
straight rods of osier, and, separating them with certain 
secret charms at a fixed time, they know clearly what is 
nneant. 2 

Herodotus relates : 

Scythia has an abundance of soothsayers, who foretell the 
future by means of a number of willow wands. A large 
bundle of these wands is brought and laid on the ground. 
The soothsayer unties the bundle and places each wand by 
itself, ! at the same time uttering his prophecy. Then, while 
he is still speaking, he gathers the rods together again, and 
makes them up once more into a bundle. This mode of 
divination is of home growth in Scythia. 4 

The latter account does not agree except so far as 
concerns the bundle of rods, but almost exact par- 
allels to the zeichaku, both in number and method 
of manipulation, are to be found among many abo- 
riginal tribes in America. A resume of the descrip- 
tions given by the early writers is furnished in that 
admirable paper on "Indian (lames' 7 by Mr. Andrew 
McFarland Davis, published in the Bulletin of the Essex Institute. 

1 Volume XXXI, p. 2. 

2 Somewhat comparable is the custom of the Guinea negroes described by Bosnian 
(William Bosnian, A New and Accurate Description of the Coast of Gninea; ti 
la ted in Pin kerton's Voyages, London, 1814, XVI, p. 399 : "If the priesl is inclined 
to oblige the querent the questions are put to the idol in bis presence, and gener- 
ally in one of the two following methods: The first waj is by a bundle of about 
twenty small bite of leather, in the middle of which they bind some trash of tin- 
same nature with that they till the mentioned pipe; Borne of these ingredients prom- 
ise good success and others threaten the contrary. I his bundle the priest shuffles 
together several times, and if those which presage n good issne happen to come 
quently together he answers the querent thai his undertaking shall end well." 

3 0. Schrader, "One behind another," Prehistoric Antiquities, translated by Fraufe 
Byron Jevons, London, 1890, p. 279. 

4 BookIV, <i7, Rawlinson, New York, 1893, HI. ]». 16. 

'Volumes XVII, Xos.7-!». L885; XVIII, Nos. LO-12, L886. 




Fig. 205. 

ONE BTK K PL \<i.n ia:- 
TWKKN I.I 1 I I 
Wl> TIIIKI) MB 
from K"r. 



894 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

under the caption of "Straw or Indian Cards," from which I have 
extracted the following: 

To play the game a Dumber of straws or reeds uniform In size and of equal length 
w ere required. They were generally from (5 to 10 inches long. The number used in 
tin- game was arbitrary. Lawson puts it at fifty-one, Charlevoix at two hundred and 
one. The only essential points were that the numbers should be odd and that there 
should be enough of them so that when the pile was divided into two parts, a glance 
would not reveal which of the two divisions contained the odd number of straws. 
In its simplest form the game consisted in separating the heap of straws into two 
parts, one of which each player took, and he whose pile contained the odd numher 
of straws was the winner. Before the division was made the straws were subjected 

to a manipulation, somewhat after 
the manner of shuffling cards. They 
were then placed upon the deerskin 
or upon whatever other article was 
v w^k selected as a surface on which to play. 

^^Vv *7 The player who was to make the di- 




^^r V^ vision into two heaps, with many con 




tortious of the body and throwing 
about of the arms, and with constant 
) utterances to propitiate his good luck, 
would make a division of the straws 
with a pointed bone or some similar 
instrument, 1 himself taking one of the 
;*. \^i ~¥7t jff/ < divisions while his adversary took the 

yvS\^k ■ - — — ^ <^r *^P other. They would then rapidly sep- 

arate the straws into parcels number- 
Nbf th. ing ten each, and determine from the 

6 fractional remainders who had the 

Fig- 206. odd number. The speed with which 

eight diagrams (Pat kivd). the process of counting was carried 

Numerical compliments indicated by numerals. on was always a SOlirce of WOIlder to 

the lookerson, and the fact that the 
counting was done by tens is almost invariably mentioned. Between two people 
betting simply on the odd number no further rules were necessary. To determine 
which had the heap containing the odd number, there was no need to foot up the 
total cumber of tens. It was to be settled by what was left over after the last pile 
of complete tens was set aside. The number itself might be either one, three, five, 
seven, or nine. In the more complicated forms of the games this led to giving differ- 
ent values to these numbers, the nine being always supreme and the one on which 
the highest bets were wagered. It was generally understood that the holder of this 
numher swept the hoard, taking all bets on other numbers as well as those on nine. 
It was easy to bet beads against beads and skins against skins in a simple game of 
odd or even, but when the element of different values for different combinations was 
introduced some medium of exchange was needed to relieve the complications. 



1 An explanation is here suggested for the origin of the familiar game of jack- 
straws, in which a bundle of splints allowed to fall at random in a pile are separated 
one by oik; without disturbing the others. Mr. E. W. Nelson informs me that a 
game identic;'! with jaekstraws is played by the Eskimo of Norton Sound on the 
Yukon River, Alaska. The sticks, which are made of spruce or cottouwood, or any 
ordinary driftwood, are about the size of a match, squared, and about four inches 
in Length. Those he collected for the U. S. National Museum were tied with a cord 
in :i bnndle of about one hundred. The sticks each have the same value. They are 
separated by means of a slender stick a little longer than the others. Another 
method of using these sticks is to lay the bundle on the back of the hand, toss them 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 38. 








1=3 



_r 



< 



Carved Sandalwood Jackstraws (HeungVopdtpd). 

Length, 3j inches. 

Canton, China. 

Cat. No. 16281, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin 



Plate 39= 



€ 



IXC iE 



HX-ll io 






o 




c= 



z> 



IT 



W 




r 




(r 



Carved Sandalwood Jackstraws. 

Length, 3| inches. 

Canton, China. 

Cat. No. 16231, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsjivania. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



895 



Stones of fruit were employed, just as chips or counters are used in modern gambling 
games, and a regular bank was practically instituted. Baefa player took a certain 
number of these counters as the equivalent of the value of the merchandise which he 
proposed to hazard on the game, whether it was a gun, a blanket, or some other 
article. Here we have all the machinery of a regular gambling game al cards, but 
the resemblance does not stop 
here. The players put up 
their bets precisely as they 
now do in a game of faro, se- 
lecting their favorite number 
and fixing the amount, meas- 
ured in the standard of the 
game, which they wish to haz- 
ard. " By the side of the 
straws, which are on the 
ground, are found the (grains) 
counters," says Perrot, 
"which the players have bet 
on the game." In another 
place the method of indicat- 
ing the bets is stated as fol- 
lows : "He (meaning the one 
who has bet) is also obliged to 
make two other heaps. In 
one he will place five, in the 
other seven straws, with as 
many (grains) counters as he 
pleases. * * * Compli- 
cated rules determined when 
the players won or lost, when 
the bets were to be doubled, 
and when they were to abide 
the chance of another count. 
The loser at the game, even 

after all he had with him was gone, was sometimes permitted to continue the game 
on his promise to pay. If ill luck still pursued him the winner could refuse him 
credit and decline to play for stakes that he could not see. The game often Lasted 
several days, one after auother relieving his comrades at the play until one of the 

into the air, and catch them on the palm. If the player succeeds in grasping them 
all he lays one splint aside and tries again. 

The antiquity of the game of jackstraws in India appears to be illustrated by a 
passage in the TeviggaSutta (The Magghima Sllam, l: The Sacred Books of the l 
XI, Oxford, 1881, p. 193) in a list of games detrimental to the progress of virtue. 
"That is to say, with a board of sixty-four squares, or one hundred Bquares ; tossing 
up; removing substances from a heap without shaking the remainder." 

In Canton, China, children use splints from burnt punk sticks \4ung /,'« ///.-. Liter- 
ally, "incense feet"), one hundred being held in a bunch and allowed to fall, the 
players endeavoring to remove them one at a time from the pile without disturbing 
the others, using another stick bent over at the end fox the purpose. Phey call the 
game t'iii lining h'rnk. The Chinese at Canton make carved jackstraws, bul I am 
informed by Chinese merchants that they are sold only for export. A Bel in the 
University Museum (Cat. No. 10221) (Plates 3£ onsists of forty-two pi 

twenty small pointed sticks, twenty miniature weapons and implements, and two 
hooks for removing the splints. They are made of sandal wood, I inches in Length, 
and their name is given by the venders as heung t'opdtpb. 




Fig. 207. 

JAPANESE FORTUNE-TELLER WITH ZRICHAKU. 

After native drawing in Our Neighborhood, by T. A. Pun-ell, rei>r..«diiced in K 

Games. 






REPORT OF 



NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



two sides had lost everything. * * * The game of straw," says Perrot, 1 from 
whose account we have made the foregoing digest, "is ordinarily held in the cabins 
of the chiefs, which are large, and are, so to speak, the Academy of the Savages." 

Law son - describes it, but in slightly modified form, as follows: 

'•Indian Cards. — Their chiefest game is a sort of Arithmetick, which is managed 
by a parcel of small split reeds, the thickness of a small Bent. These are made very 
nit civ. BO that they part, and are tractable in their hands. They are fifty-one in 
number,- their length abont 7 inches. When they play, they throw part of them to 
their antagonist. The art is to discover, upon sight, how many you have, and what 
yon throw to him that plays with you. Some are so expert at their numbers that 
they will tell ten times together what they throw out of their hands. Although the 
whole play is carried on Avith the quickest motion it is possible to use, yet some are 
so expert at this game as to win great Indian Estates by this Play. A good set of 
these reeds fit to play withal are valued and sold for a dressed doe-skin." 

The tirst game described by Roger Williams 3 in his Chapter on Gaming is "a game 
like unto the English Cards, yet instead of Cards they play with strong Rushes." 
In his vocabulary he gives " Akesuog : they are at cards, or telling Rushes; Pissinnd- 




Fig. 208. 

ROD AND COVEE USED IN FAN T'AN. 

Length of rod, 17£ inches; diameter of cup, 3J inches. 
Canton, China. 

Cat. Nos. 7159, 7160, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

ganaah: their playing Rushes; Ntakesemin: I am a telling or counting; for their 
play is a kind of Arithmatick." Strachey found this game among the Indians in Vir- 
ginia. He describes it as follows \ "Dice play, or cardes, or lotts, they know not, 
how be it they use a game upon rushes much like primero, wherein they card and 
discard and lay a stake or two, and so win or lose." 

Mr. Davis cites other references to the game by Fathers Brebeuf, 4 Boucher, 5 
Lafitau, 6 Charlevoix, 7 aud Beverly/ uone of which throw any additional light upon it. 

'Nicholas Perrot, Meinoire sur les Mceurs, Coustumes et Relligion des Sauvages de 
PAmenque Septentrionale, Leipzig and Paris, 1867. 

-John Lawsou, History of North Carolina, London, 1718, p. 176. The tribes whose 
customs are described by him an; Catawba, Tuskeruro (Tuscarora), Pampticongh, 
and Woccon. He does not specify that the game was played by any one of these 
tribes in particular. 

Roger Williams, A Key to Language of America, etc., together with brief obser- 
vations of the Customes, Manners, etc., Providence in New Eugland, London, 1613, 
(hap. XXVIII. 

•'Relations des Jesuites, Quebec, 1858. 

Pierre Boucher, True and Genuine Description of New France, etc., Paris, 1644. 
Translated under title Canada in the Seventeenth Century, Montreal, 1883. 

1 P. Lafitau, Mceurs des Sauvages Ameriquains, etc., Paris, 1724. 

7 Le P.de Charlevoix, Historic de la Nouvelle France, Journal d'un Voyage, etc., 
Paris, 1711. 

Robert Beverly, History of Virginia, 1705. 



CHESS AND PLAYIXG-CARDS. 897 

About fifteen years ago the late Rev. J. Owen Dorsey gave the fol- 
lowing account of a corresponding game among the Omaha: ' 

Ja"-eawa, Stick-counting, is played by any number of persons with sticks made of 
desk* or sidtihi. These sticks are all placed in a Leap, and then the players, in 
succession, take up some of them in their hands. The sticks are not counted until 
tiny have been taken up, and then he who has the lowest odd number always wins. 
Thus, if one player had five, another three, and a third only one, the la^r must be 
the victor. The highest number that anyone can have is nine. If ten or more 
sticks have been taken those above nine do not count. •' 

Light is thrown upon the origin and significance of these games in 
America by the account of the Tiyotipi of the Dakota, by Stephen R. 
Biggs. 3 --The exponent of the Phratry was the * Tiyotipi,' or ' Soldiers' 
Lodge.' Its meaning is the 4 Lodge of Lodges/ There were placed 
the bundles of black and red sticks of the soldiers. There the soldiers 
gathered to talk and smoke and feast. There the laws of the encamp- 
ment were enacted." Describing the lodge, he says: 

A good fire is blazing inside, and we may just lift up the skin-door and crawl in. 
Toward the rear of the tent, but near enough for convenient use, is a large pipe 
placed by the symbols of power. There are two bundles of shaved sticks about (5 
inches long. The sticks in one bundle arc painted black and in the other red. The 
black bundle represents the real men of the camp — those who have made their mark 
on the warpath. The red bundle represents the boys and such men as wear no eagle 
feathers. 

Again he says: 

Then of all the round-shaved sticks, some of which were painted black and some 
painted red, four are especially marked. They are the four chiefs of the Tiyotipi 
that were made. And these men are not selected at random for this place; but men 
who have killed many enemies and are most able are chosen. 

In conclusion, Mr. Eiggs adds: 

The special making of the sticks is done on the line of personal history. What- 
ever is indicated by the kind of eagle feathers a man is entitled to wear in his head, 
and by the notches in them, this is all hieroglyphed on his stick in the Tiyotipi. 
Then these bundles of sticks are used for gambling. The question is. "Odd or 
even .' " The forfeits are paid in meat for the Tiyotipi. 

This highly suggestive account reveals the splints or straws of the 
American games as derived from the ceremonial emblems of the war- 
riors of the tribe. The identity of the splints with the Baida gambling- 
sticks i No. 76), both in number and method of use, is clearly apparent. 

'Omaha Sociology, Third Annual Report Bureau of Ethnology, Washington. 1SSI. 
p. 338. 

Mr. Francis Le Fleche mentioned an Omaha game t«» the writer under the name 
of Zanekiddd, as played with sticks oi Btraws, fifty-two in all. ''It is pretty orach 
like card-playing." Miss Alice C. Flee her writes me that " the true name of the game 
\b zthon-ni-gki-de. This is an old word, and not a descriptive oame, whereas the 
name given by Mr. Dorsey is a descriptive name and only BOmetimes used to d« 
Date this game. The name gives by Mr. Dorsey, ehon-dha-wa, is composed of to**, 

''wood." and (ilm-irn, "to count." 

Stephen Return Riggs, Dakota Grammar, Texts, and Ethnography, edited by 
James Owen Dorsey. U. S. Geographical and Geological Snrvey of the Bo< ky M un- 

taiu Region. Contributions to North American Kthnology. IX. pp. 195, 2U0. 
NAT MTJS ( .K) .~)7 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



u 



Ik 



4 



The latter I have shown to be direct substitutes for arrow-shaftments, 

hence the derivation of the splints from similar shaftments may be 

regarded as assured. 

66. Chinese Fortune-Teller's Sign. Cotton cloth painted J with 
the Pdt lewd or "Eight Diagrams." Johore, Malay Peninsula. 

(17. Iv\\ a ts' i'm. Divining-splints. 2 China and Chinese in the United 
States. 
Thirty-two or sixty-four splints of bamboo, about 5 iuches in length, 

tipped with red (tig. 209). One-fourth of the splints are marked with one 

dot and called tdn, "single;" one-fourth with two' dots, chit, "broken;" 

one -fourth with a circle, 
cWung, "duplicated," and the 
remainder with a cross, hdu, 
"united." They are regard- 
ed, respectively, as yeung, 
"masculine;" yam, "femi- 
nine;" shiii yeung and shin 
yam, yam meaning "assist- 
ant." The inquirer draws a 
splint at random from a vase 
in which the entire bundle is 
placed, and the fortune-teller 
notes its mark upon a piece 
of paper. Another splint is 
then drawn, and the result 
written down just above the 
former mark, and this re- 
peated until six marks in a 
line, one above the other, are 
obtained. The combination 
is interpreted with the aid of 
the "Book of Divination," 

by reference to the corresponding diagram, as in YeJci (No. 65). In this 

method of fortune-telling the diagram indicating place is determined by 

the repeated selection of the chance- arrows. 

68. Mikuji. Diviuing-sticks, 3 with box, mikuji bako, from which they 
are thrown. Japan. 
Sixty bamboo lots, about 9 inches in length, marked with numbers 
from one to sixty (fig. 210). Kept in both Shinto and Buddhist temples 
in .Japan. A lot is shaken from a box and its number referred to a 
book iu which an explanation is given. Either sixty or one hundred 
lots are used. The even numbers are considered lucky and the odd 

No. L6760, .Mus. AitIi.. Univ. Peun. From the collection sent by His High- 
he late Sultan of Johore to the Columbian Exposition, Chicago. 
t No. 175657, U.8.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 
i V>. L75658, L'.s.X.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 



v: 



p 



55 



Up 






Fig. 209. 

1MVINING-SPLINTS (hw& ts'im). 

Length, 5 inches. 
China. 

176667, U.S.N.M. From Korean Games. 



R«port of U S National Museum, 1896 - Culm. 



Plate 40. 




Shrine of Chinese God of War. 

Philadelphia. 
From Korean Games. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



899 



unlucky, with the exception of No. 1, which is very lucky, and No. 100, 
which is very unlucky. 

09. Ts'far ti. " Lot-answers" 1 in box, tsHm Vung, from which they are 
shaken. China and Chinese in the United States. 
One hundred bamboo lots, about 10 inches in length (fig. 211), used in 
Chinese temples and shrines in the same manner as the preceding. 




Fig. 210. 

DIVINING-STICKs {rmkuji) WITH BOX (bako), FBOM WHICH Tin > \i;l THBOWW. 

Length of sticks, it Inches. 
Japan. 

n... 18307, Museum of ircliBology, University .>f Pennayl' 

These lots illustrate the probable origin of the preceding lots, the 
Japanese mikugi, in the quiver of arrows, the red- tipped, arrow-pointed 
lots, tsHm, being clearly derived from arrows, tein, while the box, t'ung^ 
represents the bamboo quiver. 2 

1 Cat. No. 9048, M us. Arch.. I'niv. Penn. 

8 Among the Chinese in the United States the God of War is invariably appealed 
to in using these lots. They ;ire placed apoD the little ledge, or altar before his 
shrine (Plate 40), which is maintained practically lor the purpose ofsnch divination. 
With the splints are invariably two elliptical pieces of wood. k<in piii (fig. 212 . 
rounded on one side and Hat on the other, usually made of the rool stocli of the 
bamboo. The inquirer, after making the usual sacrifices, throws the blocks to 



900 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



These instruments, taken in connection with a set of arrows worn by 
a Chinese general, described on page 882, serve to make clear the refer- 
ence in Ezekiel xxi, 21, where Nebuchadnezzar, at the parting of two 
ways, uses divination with arrows to decide whether he shall proceed 
against Jerusalem or Kabbah. 1 




Fig. 211. 
row-lots (ts'im ii) in box (quiver). 
Length of sticks, 10 inches. 
Canton, China. 

Cat. No. 9048, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



Analogous to the tsHm ii was the Meisir game of the heathen Arabs, 



ascertain whether the time is propitious for divination with the Wim ii. In tossing 
the blocks, if both fall with their curved sides uppermost the indication is a negative 
one, neither good or evil ; if both fall with the flat sides uppermost the indication 
i- unfavorable; if one falls with the curved side uppermost and the other the reverse 
the Indication is good. It is customary to throw the blocks until they fall three 
nines alike in succession. 

• Pop the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the ways, at the head of two 
ways, to use divination. He shook the arrows to and fro, he consulted the teraphim, 
he looked in the liver" (K. V.), 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



901 



in which marked arrows were shaken from a quiver. Ten or eleven 
arrows were used, of which seven were marked. They were made of 
the wood of a particular tree, and were of a yellow eolor. The seven 
marked arrows which had distinguishing notches on the shaftment 
were each designated by a name. 

A very complete account of the game is given by Dr. Anton Hiiber, 1 
of which an extract is to be found in Korean Games, XXXIII. 




Fig. 212 

DIVINING-BLOCKS (kau plri). 

Length, (5J inches. 

China. 

Cat. No. 9047, Museum of Archteology, University of Pennsylvania. 



It should be observed that the term al maisar (meisir) is now under- 
stood to include all games of chance or hazard.- The heathen Arabs 
were accustomed to divine by means of arrows in a manner similar to 
the Meisir, of which an account is found in the Preliminary Discourse 
to Sale's Koran. :} 

'Ober das Meisir genannte Spiel <ler heidnischen Araber, Leipzig. L883. 

2 Hughes' Dictionary of Islam. 

'Another practice of the idolatrous Arabs, forbidden also in one of the above- 
mentioned passages (Koran, Chap. V), was that of divining by arrows. The an 
used by them for this purpose were like those with which they east lots, being \\ it li- 
mit heads or feathers, and were kept in the temple of some idol, in whose presence 
they were consulted. Seven Bach arrows were kepi at the temple of Mecca, bul 
generally in divination they made use of three only, on one of w hieh W as w ritt< Q, 
"My Lord hath commanded me ;" on another. •• M\ Lord hath forbidden me," and the 
third was blank. If the former was drawn, they looked upon it as an approbation 
of the enterprise; if the second, they made a contrary conclusion; but if the third 
happened to be drawn, they mixed them and drew them over again. These divining 
arrows were generally consulted before anything of moment was undertaken, as 
when a man was about to marry, or about to go on a journey. (The Preliminary 
Discourse, Sec. V.) 



902 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

While the Chinese lots at the present day are inscribed simply with 
a number retelling to the corresponding pages of a book (as No. 70), 
in which is to be found both the oracle and its explanation, it is not 
unlikely that the oracle was originally engraved or written upon the 
lot itself, such lots being the natural outcome from the engraved or 
painted arrow shaftment, from which I assume they were derived. An 
explanation of the origin of the sortes of the Romans is naturally sug- 
gested. The sortes were little tablets or counters of wood, or other 
materials, upon each of which some rough verse or poverb was writ- 
teu. After they had been mixed together a boy would draw one at 
random, which was then taken as an omen. 1 Cicero 2 describes the 
Sortes at Praeneste as being engraved in ancient characters on oak, 
and kept in a chest of olive wood. 

70. Kwan Tai Ling Ts'im. 3 " God of War Divining Lots." Canton, 

China. 
Book of lots, to which the numbered lots are referred. 

71. PAk k6p p'iu ts'im u. 4 Lots cast by gamblers. Canton, China. 
Eighty bamboo lots, identical with No. (59, except that they are num- 
bered from one to eighty. Cast by gamblers before playing in the lot- 
tery called the Pcik h)p pHu (No. 72) to determine the numbers they 
should play. Kept in Chinese shrines of the God of War in China and 
the United States for the convenience of gamblers. 

These lots, which are used ceremonially to divine the lucky numbers, 
are doubtless survivals from the time when such lots were actually 
used in the drawings. In Korea, lotteries called San-htong, appear to 
be a distinct outcome from the Jcyei, or money lending clubs. In the 
latter a hundred men each contribute a certain sum monthly, the draw- 
ings being made with numbered wooden balls, which are shaken from 
a globular wooden box, san-htong. 5 The lotteries are drawn in the 
same manner, and it should be observed that the name of the box, 
san-htong, is the Chinese tsHm tfung, applied to the lot-arrows in their 
quiver. The globular box and numbered balls are analogous to the 
Italian lottery, in which numbered balls (No. 74) are shaken from a 
bottle-shaped basket. 



'Smith's Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, art. Sortes. 

-De Divinatio, II, p. 41. 

•'Cat. No. 15898, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

♦Cat. No. 9048, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

'The implements for a Korean lottery (Cat. No. 17612) in the University Museum 
consist of a small tin lamp for burning kerosene oil, containing ten white nuts (seeds 
of 8alisburia adiantifolia) numbered with Chinese characters from one to ten, an 
ei ident makeshift for the appliance described in the text. 

Ilimly gives the Manchu name for the money-lending clubs as isangga mekten, "lot 
drawing/' with the Chinese equivalent of id ui, " shaking society." When several 
persons each deposit part of the money, and it is divided by lot-drawing once a 
month, it is called isanyya mekten. 



CHKSS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 903 

72. PXk k6p p< iu. " White Pigeon Ticket," Tickets used by players 1 
(tig. 213). A lottery. China and Chinese in the United States. 
Carried on by organized companies among the Chinese in China and 
in their settlements iu the United States. The tickets are marked with 
eighty numbers, which are represented by the first eighty characters 
of the u Thousand Character Classic." The players bet on ten or more 
numbers, marking the characters selected on the tickets. The draw- 



a & sk m t^fA%®^ 


«**£ii£##3M * 


tk^*6A«A*4* 


********** 


& Jk )% & IR 


% m & 4- & * $ & $l «? 


■*??#•£**#&«#«'£ 


MlM #■# &*«*#] * 


■$.toi&n£iiikik& 



Fig. 213. 

LOTTERY TICKKT (pdk k<-ji pStf). 

Impression, 3| inohea Bquare. 

Chinese in United states. 

Cat. No. 169837, O.SJf.M. Prom Korean (James. 

ings are conducted by means of eighty pieces of paper, each having 

one of the eighty characters written niton it. Twenty characters are 
drawn at random at each drawing, and the players win in proportion 
to the number they guess. 2 The name of the lottery, pdk foj/t. "White 
Pigeon," is probably a slang phrase for pdk hop. meaning "one hundred 
united," a name which is quite intelligible in the light of the Korean 
money-lending clubs. 

1 Cat. No. 169327, U.S.N. M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 

2 Stewart Culin, for detailed account see The Gambling Gamea of the I binese in 

America, Philadelphia, 1891. 



90-1 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



73. Is/' l.v. "Word-Blossoming.'' A lottery. Canton, China, and 
Chinese in the United States. Chart and Enigmas. 1 
A lottery similar to the preceding. The lots are the names of thirty- 
six persons, and appear upon the chart (fig. L'14) arranged in nine 
categories: 



5. 



i* 






Oj n 









A 

A. 



& 



is 



W 
ft 












£, 
^ 



09 






4- 



3L 






g? pP 






*4 



mi* 



yf.a) »Xi 



lip 
fa 






is 



7L 




/2s.' 4r 



% 



Z- Jx 



£ \ 






7C, 



7c- 



1 












IS. 



* 






a 
* 



7T* 



3k 



C3 

At 






99|<^ 



1 

^ 



^ 



7L 



t 



Alt- 









as 



« 

^ 
&) 


















4K. ^if 






tL 





0-/ 















5 
fe 



I 



v9 



Fig. 214. 

CHART FOR WORD- BLOSSOMING LOTTERY (tsz' fti fb). 

Impression. 8 by 9 inches. 

China, and Chinese in United States. 

Cat. No. 169328, U.S.N.M. From Korean Games. 



1. The four Chong tin.' 2 

2. The seven successful merchants. 

3. The four Buddhist priests. 

4. The five beggars. 

5. The five generals. 

6. The fortr ladies. 

7. The four destined to good fortune. 
v . The nun. 

!». The t*\ <> Taoist priests. 



\... 109328, l .S.N.M. Gift of Stewart Culin. 
The name given to those who take the highest degree at the examinations for the 



llaiili 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



905 



One name is selected as the winning one before cadi drawing, and 
the players who guess it receive thirty times the amount of their bet. 
Below each of the proper names on the chart are the names of vari- 
ous animals, common occupations, of noted characters in the popular 
romances and histories, and of miscellaneous objects, such as "jade," 
"a corpse," and the " Tutelary Spirit." This heterogeneous collection, 
which somewhat resembles the list of objects in the dream books sold 
iu our shops for the use of " policy " players, 
is employed by gamblers for a similar pur- 
pose. The picture of a man, marked with 
thirty-six names at various parts of his 
body, forms part of the same scheme. This 
employment is secondary to another pur- 
pose. Before drawing the lottery, the man- 
ager distributes among the players copies 
of an enigma (fig. 215), which must contain 
some demonstrable reference to the name 
written under the proper name selected for 
the day, or to the part of the body upon 
which that name is written. These enig- 
mas are written in metrical form, and are 
composed as required by the writer of the 
lottery. He endeavors to mislead the play- 
ers, but is obliged to give a satisfactory 
explanation of the connection between his 
verses and the name displayed. 1 

For an explanation of the symbolism of the 
thirty six names and of the T^ung yan, or 
"composite man," as the picture of the man 
is called, we need but to refer to the concept 
of totality which underlies the arrow-quiver 
with its symbols of all the quarters. 

74. Numbered balls, 2 used in lottery. 

Madrid, Spain. 
These balls (fig. 216) made of boxwood, 
are numbered from one to ninety. Their probable origin is suggested 
by the Korean san-htong, as described on page 902. The resemblance 
of these strung balls to a rosary has suggested to the writer thai 
that object may have had a similar origin and cos mica! symbolism.' 

75. Arrows. 3 McCloud River Indians. McOloud River, California. 
Feathered ends marked with rings or ribbons of red. bine, and black 

paint. 




Pig. 215. 

ENIGMA [t8Z' /d tan DBBD in WORD. 
BLOSSOMING LOTTERY. 

Chinese in United Btati - 

From ki'r. :ui ( ten 



; For a detailed account see Stew ;i it Cnlin, Fas? Fd,oi Word-Bloeaoming, Overland 
Monthly, September, 1894. 
8 Cat. No. 16247, Mus.Aroh., Univ. Penn. 

3 Cat. No. 126518, U.S.N.M. 






REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



Intended to illustrate method of marking arrows referred to on 
page 881. 
76. Gambling-sticks. Alaska Indians. 

((() A set of sixty-two sticks, 5 inches in length and ^ inch in diam- 
eter, in leather pouch. 1 Marked with stripes or ribbons of red and 
black paint, of various widths, and variously placed. Collected by 
Dr. A. H. Hoff, U. S. A. 

{b) Plaster cast of stick, showing carved figure of beaver. Copy of 
one of set in the United States National Museum 2 (Plate 41), Haida 
Indians, Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 

Mr. James G. Swan 3 
the following ac- 
of the method of 




gives 

count 

play: 

The 
pieces 



Fig. 216. 

STRINO OF NINETY LOTTERY BALLS. 

Madrid, Spain. 

Cat. No. 16847, Mnseum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 



Haida use sticks or 
of wood 4 or 5 inches 
long and beautifully polished. 
They are made of yew, and 
each stick has some designat- 
ing mark upon it. There is 
one stick entirely colored and 
one entirely plain. Each 
player will have a bunch of 
forty or fifty of these sticks, 
and each will select either of 
the plain sticks as his favorite, 
just as in backgammon or 
checkers the players select 
the bl ack or white pieces. The 
Indian about to play takes up 
a handful of these sticks, and, 
putting them under a quantity 
of finely separated cedar bark, 
which is as hue as tow and kept constantly near him, he divides the pins into two 
parcels, which he wraps up in the bark, and passes them rapidly from hand to hand 
under the tow, and finally moves them round on the ground or mat on which the 
players are always seated, still wrapped in the fine bark, but not covered by the 
tow. His opponent watches every move that is made from the very first with the 
rness of a cat, and finally, by a motion of his finger, indicates which of the par- 
cels the winning stick is in. The player, upon such indication, shakes the sticks out 
of the bark, and, with much display and skill, throws them one by one into the 
space between the players till the piece wanted is reached, or else, if it is not there, 
to show that the game is his. The winner takes one or more sticks from his oppo- 
nent 's pile, and the game is decided Avhen one wins all the sticks of the other. 

I >r. Franz Boas, 4 in his Report of the Northwestern Tribes of Canada, 
L895, gives the following account of the methods of play among the 

NiskkYi (Chimmesyan): 

on.— Guessing game, played with a number of maple sticks marked with red or 
black rings, or totemic designs. Two of these sticks are trumps. The object of the 

Cat. .NO. 9286, U.S.N.M. 2 Cat. No. 73552, U.S.N.M. 

Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, No. 267, p. 7. 
1 liritish Association for the Advancement of Science, Ipswich, 1895. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATE 41 




Fig. 1. Baida Indian Gambling Stick. Length, 4£ inches. 

(Cat. No. 73552, CJ.S.N.M.) 
Fig. 2. Device ON Haida Indian Gambling Stick (Beaver). From Korean Games. 
Fig. 3. Cylindrical Stamp. Length, 3 inches. 

(Cat. No. 12983, Mils. Arch., Univ. Penn. Ecuador.) 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Cu n. 



Plate 41 



'** i- 



'» 





Haida Gambling Stick and Pottery Stamp. 
Ecuador. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 907 

game is to guess in which of the two bundles of sticks, which are trapped in cedar 
bark, the tramp is hidden. Each player uses one trump only. 

Another apparently similar game lie describes as follows: 

Matsq&'n. — About thirty small maple sticks are divided into four or five lots of 
unequal numbers. After a first glance one of the players is blindfolded, the others 
change the order of the lots, and the first player must guess how many sticks are 
now in each lot. When he guesses right in three, four, or live guesses out of ten- 
according to the agreement of the players— he has won. 

The sets of sticks are almost uniformly contained in a leather pouch, 
with a broad Hap, to which a long thong is attached, passing several 
times around the pouch and having a pointed strip of bone, horn, or 
ivory at the end. The latter is slipped under the thong as a fastening. 
These sticks, which are used by several of the tribes of the north wot 
coast of America, are probably simply conventionalized shaftments of 
arrows, as will be seen by comparing them with the arrows of the 
McOloud River Indians (Xo. 75). Fig. 217 represents the cut shaftment 
of an actual arrow, still bearing bands of red paint, found among the 
debris of a cliff dwelling in Maucos Canyon, which Mr. ( ashing regards 
as having been intended for a game in the manner of the sticks. 



Fig. 217. 

CUT ARROW SHAFTMENT. 

Length, 6 inches. 

Cliff dwelling in Mancoa Canyon, Colorado. 

Museum of Archieology, University of Pennsylvania. 

From the account of the sticks used among the Dakota (p. 897 . to 
which the Northwest Coast sticks are analogous, it seems probable that 
each stick in a set stands, or originally stood, for a warrior of the 
tribe. It will be seen from the sticks collected by Lieutenant Emmons 
that they are designated by what appear to be the names of thegentes. 
Comparison of the sticks herein described show that no two sets arc 
exactly alike, 1 a variation which, under the circumstances, would he 
natural. Through the courtesy of Dr. Franz Boas, of the American 
Museum of Natural History, New York City, 1 am able to give the fol- 
lowing list of two sets of sticks- in that museum, collected and labeled 
by Lieut. George T. Emmons, 1'. S. N.. which are of the highest impor- 
tance in their study. By reference to Gibb's Vocabularies, it appears 
they were obtained from the Taku tribe of the Koluschan family, OCCQ 
pying Taku Inlet, Alaska/' They are catalogued under the came of 
Alh-kar, from Sitka. 

1 There is a general agreement in the red and black ribbons, bui the number and 
arrangement of these varies on the sticks in each set. Several sticks marked alike 
frequently occur, as in the named sets collected by Lientenanl Emmons. All of the 
painted sets contain sticks like those in these two sets. 

-My attention was culled to these sticks by my friend Mi. Cnshing, who kindly 
placed his drawings of them at my disposal. 

: ' United States Geographical and Geological Survey of the Etockj Mountain 
Region. Contributions to North American Ethnology, I. p. 121. 



DOS REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Set of fifty-seven polished maple gaming-sticks. (Cat. No. -^), 4|| 
inches in length, in leather pouch. All marked with red and black rib- 
bons, and arranged in fifteen groups, as follows: 

Bight designated as Kite, " blackhsh." 

One as Tieeshsakh', "starfish.'' 

Four as Eah, "duck." 

Ten as Lale-la-ta, "sea gull." 

Four as NorJc, "sunfish." 

Four as Shuuleo, "robin." 

Four as Heon, "fly." 

Three as Kar-sliish-shoiv, "like a dragon-fly." 

Three as Tseeke, " black bear." 

Three as Goivh, "surf duck." 

Four as Larkar. 

Three as Yah-ah-un-a, "South Southerlee (sic)." 

Three as Ihk-ok-kohm, "cross-pieces of canoe." 

Two as Eea-thlu, "dragon-fly." 

One as Tis, "moon." 



Set of sixty-six polished wooden gaming-sticks. (Oat. No. -g-f^), 4|| 
inches in length, in leather pouch. Twenty-seven of these sticks are 
marked with red and black ribbons, and arranged in nine groups, as 
follows (Plates 42, 43): 

Four designated as Kite, " blackfish." (Plate 42 A.) 

Three as Lar-ish, "four-pronged starfish." (Plate 42B.) 

Three as Kok-khatete, " loon." (Plate 42C.) 

Three as Tuk-kut-ke-yar, "humming-bird." (Plate 42D.) 

Three as Kark, " duck " (golden eye). (Plate 42E.) 

Three ns-Diilth, a bird like a heron without topknot (Plate 42F.) 

Three as Eau-kon, " sun." (Plate 42G.) 

Three as Ars, " stick-tree." (Plate 42H.) 

Two as Ta-thar-ta, "sea gull." (Plate 42J.) 

The remaining thirty-eight sticks are plain, but some show old bands, 
obliterated, but not removed, while two are inlaid with a small, rec- 
tangular piece of black horn (Plate 42 K), and one with a small ring of 
( opper wire. 

The following additional sets of sticks are contained in the Ameri- 
can Museum of Natural History, New York City: 

Set of forty-three maple gambling sticks. (Oat. No. T ^) 9 5-^- inches 
in length and ^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. One plain, others 
marked with red and black ribbons. Ends nipple shaped. Tlingit; 
Fort \\ rangell, Alaska. Collected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Bet of forty-six wooden gambling-sticks. (Cat. No. -g^-), 5^ inches 
in length and •,•"',; inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All marked with 
red and black ribbons. Ends flat, blackened by charring. Tlingit; 
Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of sixty-two polished maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. -g-fy), 4^ 
inches in length and - t % inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Painted 
with red and black ribbons, in part inlaid with abalone shell. One 



eport of U.S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 42. 



(I 



nr 



d 



n 



n 



ri 



n 



n 



n 



) i i 



i — n 



i i i ■ i i i 



mi ni 



> 



B 



I) 



I 



)»)■!») 1 



£ 



rv&w.^s 



d 



ii 



3-ZHCD 



E^L/Il ) 



E 



^&£JA\ ) 



Taku Indian Gambling Sticks Alaska. 
Length 4^ inches. No. E , American Museum <>t' Natural History, New fork. 



ieport of U.S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. PLATE 43. 

fl I I I 



1 



] ) 



i 



I 1 I 



J 



I 



G 



! ~ 



1 1 1 



H 



j ) j 



• i 



i 






K 



Taku Indian Gambling Sticks. Alaska. 
Length 4A inches. No. E , American Museum <>f Natural History, Ne* York. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 909 

carved with head of a man. Ends ovate. Tlingit: Sitka. Alaska. 
Collected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of sixty-seven maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. B * s ), 4-,\ inches 
in length and - x % inch in diameter, in leather poucn. All marked with 
red and black ribbons. Ends ovate. Tlingit; Sitka. Alaska. Collected 
by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of forty-three wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. -g-^), 4f§ inches in 
length and -^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Twenty-two painted 
with red and black ribbons; others plain. Ends have small raised 
flat disk. Collected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Sixteen maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. y^n-g), 4-,\ inches in length 
and f\ inch in diameter, marked with red and black ribbons, and six 
with burnt totemic designs. Ends ovate. With the above are ten 
odd sticks belonging to six or seven different sets. Chilkat. Col- 
lected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of iifty-three wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. T o^-g), 4 T | inches in 
length and fV inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All marked with red 
and black ribbons, and having each end incised with three crescent- 
shaped marks suggesting a human face. In part inlaid with small 
pieces of abalone shell and small rings of copper wire. Ends flat. 
Stahkin. Collected by Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of forty-nine wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. ^-g^), 3-^- inches in 
length and f\- inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All painted with red 
and black ribbons. Ten inlaid with small pieces of abalone shell, 
copper, and horn. Ends flat. Tlingit; Eort Wrangell. Collected by 
Lieut. George T. Emmons. 

Set of sixty maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. ei^r), 5y% inches in 
length and ■£$ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All marked with 
red and black ribbons. Haida. Collected by Dr. J. W. Powell. 

Set of eighty-eight wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. - 6 VV)> •*> inches in 
length and {q inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All painted with red 
and black ribbons. Two sticks carved at one end with human heads, 
one having right arm and leg of human figure below and the other 
their complement. Ends flat. Single-pointed paint-stick in poach. 
Haida. Collected by Dr. J. W. Powell. 

Set of fifty-four light-colored wood gambling-sticks (Oat. No. - ," 4 ). 
about 4|| inches in length and ^- 6 - inch in diameter. Length slightly 
irregular. In leather poach. All marked with red and black ribbons. 
Ends flat. Double-pointed paint-sticks, one end red, other black, in 
pouch. Bellabella. (Wakashan.) Collected by Dr. J. W. PowelL 

Set of seventy- two wood gambling-sticks (Oat No. : V . 5 inches in 
length and ^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All marked with 
red and black ribbons and burnt totemic designs. Ends hollowed. 
Taint-stick in pouch. Bellabella. Collected by Dr. .1. YV. Powell. 

Set of sixty -one wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 5 inches in 

length and ^ inch in diameter, in leather poach. Three plain; others 



910 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

painted n ith red and black ribbons. Four inlaid with small disks and 
rectangles of abalone shell. Ends nipple-shaped and inset with disks 
of abalone shell. Tsiinshian. Collected by Dr. Franz Boas. 

Set of sixteen willow gambling-sticks (Oat. No. -cp^), 5^- inches in 
length and -^ inch in diameter, in small fringed buckskin pouch, 
stitched with an ornamental figure in red and green silk. All marked 
with ribbons of red paint. Nslakyapainuk (Thompson River Indians 
Salishan) Interior of British Columbia. Collected by Mr. James Teit. 

The following sets of sticks are in the Museum of Archaeology of the 
University of Pennsylvania: 

Set of forty alder wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 15322), 4jf inches in 
length and - x \ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. In part marked 
with red and black ribbons, in part with obliterated ribbons, and in 
part plain. Ends hollow, showing pith. Originally filled ^vith some 
white substance. Northern Alaska. Collected by Lieut. Miles C. 
Gorgas, U. S. N. 

Set of forty-four polished maple gambling- sticks (Cat. No. 15491), 
4jf inches in length and -fg inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All 
marked with red and black ribbons. Ends flat. 

Set of forty seven alder wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 15492), 5-^ 
inches in length and ■&■ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Thirty-two 
are marked with red and black ribbons and fifteen are plain. Ends 
inset with shell beads. Two banded sticks from another set are also 
contained in the pouch. 

Set of sixty -three polished birch or larch wood gambling-sticks 
(Cat. No. 18372), 5--^ inches in length and ^ inch in diameter, in 
leather pouch. All marked with red and black ribbons. Ends flat. 

The following sets of sticks are in the Field Columbian Museum, 
( Shicago.' 

Set of fifty-five wood gambling- sticks (Cat. No. 18349), 4f inches in 
length, in leather pouch. Variously figured. Ends rounded. Bella 
coola; British Columbia. Collected by Dr. Franz Boas. 

Set of twenty-four wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 18348), 4J inches 
in length, in leather pouch. Twenty one painted in various ways, and 
three carved to represent human figure. Bellacoola; British Columbia. 
Collected by Dr. Franz Boas. 

Set of forty-two wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 18350), 4J inches in 
length, in leather pouch. Variously marked with colored ribbons. 
Ends rounded. Bellacoola; British Columbia. Collected by Dr. Franz 
Boas. 

Bet of sixty-live wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 19017), 4§ inches in 
Length. Marked with colored ribbons. Ends rounded. Kwakiutl. 
Collected by Dr. Franz Boas. 



J am Indebted to Prof. William H. Holmes for the detailed information here given. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 911 

Set of sixty-one wood gambling-sticks (Oat. No. 143%), 4| inches in 
length, in leather pouch. Variously marked with colored ribbons. 
Ends flat. No tribe; no locality. Ayer collection. 

Set of fifty-seven wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 14395), 5 inches in 
length, in leather pouch. Five inlaid with abalone shell, one with two 
small round pieces near middle, one with a single piece near the middle, 
and three with a single piece near the end. Ends flat. Alaska. Ayer 
collection. 

Set of forty-three wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 14397), 4.^ inches in 
length, in leather pouch. Variously figured in color. No tribe; no 
locality. Ayer collection. 

The following sets of sticks are in the United States National 
Museum : 

Set of thirty-one alder- wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 9939), 5 inches 
in length and ^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Sixteen marked 
with red and black ribbons and twelve unpainted. Three of the latter 
are inlaid with a piece of abalone shell. Ends hollow. Sitka, Alaska. 
Collected by Captain Henriques. 

Set of forty-five whitewood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 10311 ), 4 J inches 
in length and -fe inch in diameter. With one exception marked with 
fine and deep lines cut in the wood — in part with red and black painted 
ribbons, and eighteen with a threefold oblique-spiral ribbon lightly 
burned around the stick. Ends flat. British Columbia (Nisse River). 
Collected by Lieut. F. W. King, U. S. A. 

Set of forty-four polished wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 11389), 5^ 
inches in length and -ft- inch in diameter, in feather pouch. Sixteen 
marked with red and black ribbons and the remainder plain. Ends 
slightly pointed. Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. Vincent Colyer. 

Thirty-four wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 40487), parts of three sets. 
Ten 4j inches, fifteen o^g- inches, and nine 5J inches in length. All 
marked with black and red ribbons. Chilkat. Collected by Commander 
L. A. Beardslee, U. S. N. 

Set of fifty-eight wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 15974), 5 inches in 
length and ,' ; ,r inch in diameter, in pouch of woven mass. All painted 
with red and black ribbons, in part obliterated. Ends hollow. Sitka. 
Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J. McLean. 

Setof forty seven cedar and Spruce gambling-sticks (Cat. No. tKHiL'i . 
5-,% inches in length and ,'v, inch in diameter, in leather poach. Forty- 
live marked with red and black ribbons; in part obliterated, remainder 
plain. Ends ovate. Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J. McLean. 

Set of sixty-nine polished wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. f>7S!M) .1 
inches in length and -^ inch in diameter, in leather poach. Fifty-six 
marked with red and black ribbons and thirteen plain. The poucb 
also contains an odd stick from another set. Buds slightly pointed. 
Chilkat; Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J, McLean. 



912 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Set of fifty-five cedar gambling- sticks (Oat. No. 74258), 5 inches in 
length and fg * n diameter, in leather pouch. Thirty marked with red 
and black ribbons and twenty-five plain. Ends flat. Alaska. Col- 
lected by Mr. John J. McLean. 

Set of thirty-three spruce gambling-sticks (Oat. No. 75422), 5-^- 
inches in length and {$ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Thirty- 
three marked with red and black ribbons, and all, with three excep- 
tions, inlaid with from one to nine l strips of abalone shell of a variety of 
patterns — round, oval, rectangular, crescent, leaf-shaped, and triangu- 
lar. Three have nearly obliterated outline paintings of animal designs, 
and two are deeply carved, one with a human head, painted red, near 
both ends, and the other with a single head, similarly painted, and 
having a flat labret of abalone shell inserted. Ends nipple-shaped. 
The inner side of the flap of the pouch is painted in green, red, and 
black, with a conventional animal. Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. 
John J. McLean. 

Set of sixty-eight wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 75423), 4| inches in 
length and -f^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All marked with red 
and black ribbons. Ends flat, inset with small disks of abalone shell. 
Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J. McLean. 

Set of fifty-seven bone gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 67909a), 4f§ inches 
in length and -^ inch in diameter, with hole drilled near one end for 
stringing. All engraved with fine encircling lines. One is inset with 
rectangular strip of abalone shell and one with rectangular piece of 
ivory, and has another hole, similarly shaped, from which the ivory has 
been removed. Six others have deep square and triangular holes for 
the insertion of slips of ivory or shell, and twelve are engraved with 
conventional animal designs, of which five have holes for the insertion 
of ivory eyes. Ends flat. Chilkat; Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J. 
McLean. 

Set of thirty-nine bone gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 67909&), 4^ inches in 
length and -fa inch in diameter, with hole drilled near one end for 
stringing. All engraved with fine encircling lines. One has two deep 
rectangular holes for the insertion of abalone shell, which has been 
removed. One has row of three dots and three dotted circles. Four 
are engraved with conventional animal designs. Chilkat 5 Alaska. 
Collected by Mr. John J. McLean. 

Set of forty-two bone gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 75421), 4-^ inches in 
length and -, ; V inch in diameter. All engraved with fine encircling 
lines. One has deep hole with a slip of abalone shell inserted, and four 
have similar holes from which shell has been removed. Five of the 
sticks are fragmentary, and the tips of many apparently show the 
action of fire. Ends flat. Alaska. Collected by Mr. John J. McLean. 



enteeo with one, four with two, five with three, one with four, one with five, 
an<l one with nine pieces. When placed upon a smooth surface the weight of the 
shell causes the sticks to turn so that the inserted pieces are concealed. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 913 

Set of sixty-six 1 curly- grained cedar-wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 
18908), 5-^q inches in length and ^ 6 - inch in diameter, in leather pouch. 
All, with one exception, marked with red and black ribbons. Enda 
ovate. Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of thirty polished wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 1893G), 5 inches 
in length and -£§ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Fifteen painted 
with red and black ribbons and fifteen plain. Ends flat. Sitka, Alaska. 
Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of thirty-four swamp or spotted beech or hazel gambling-sticks 
(Cat. No. 20789), 4-J-f inches in length, ^ inch in diameter, in leather 
pouch. All marked with red and black ribbons and five inlaid with from 
one to three strips of abalone shell, rectangular, round, crescent, and 
triangular. Ten of the sticks not having shell inserted have lengthwise 
cracks filled with metallic iron. Ends nipple-shaped. Sitka, Alaska. 
Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of fifty-one polished wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 20790), 4}£ 
inches in length and -^ inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Nineteen 
marked with red and black ribbon and thirty-two plain. Ends flat. 
Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of forty-six polished wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 89074), 5-^ 
inches in length and -fe inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Forty-three 
marked with red and black ribbons and three plain. Ends have small 
flat annular projection. Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia. 
Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of fifty maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 89180), 5 inches in length 
and i% inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All painted with red and 
black ribbons. Ends flat. Skidgate, British Columbia. Collected by 
Mr. J. G. Swan. 

Set of sixty-four redwood cedar gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 20646), ."">', 
inches in length and i inch in diameter, in leather pouch, the inside of 
which is painted with figure of an animal. All painted with red and 
black ribbons. Bellabella; British Columbia. Collected by Mr. J. (i. 
Swan. 

Set of fifty-six maple gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 20647), •">', inches in 
length and J inch in diameter, in leather pouch. All painted with red 
and black ribbons, and nineteen- inset with abalone shell in designs of 
circles, crescents, triangles, and rectangles. Ends flat. Port Simpson. 
British Columbia. Collected by Mr. ,J. G. Swan. 

Set of fifty-three curly-maple gambling-sticks Cat No. 98804 . 5j 
inches long and ^-inch in diameter, in leather pooch. All painted with 
red and black ribbons. One inlaid with one and another with two 
small rectangles of abalone shell. Queen Charlotte Islands British 
Columbia. Collected by Mr. J. G. Swan. 



1 Catalogued as 68. 

-Xiue with one, six with two, and four with three pieces. 

NAT MUS 96 5S 



!>14 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

Set of thirty-two polished birch-wood gambling-sticks (Oat No. 73522), 
4J inches in length and ^,, inch in diameter, in leather pouch, beautifully 
carved with designs in intaglio. Ends flat. Haida Mission, Jackson, 
Alaska. Collected by Mr. J. Loom is Gould in 1884. 

Set of twenty-seven wood gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 6556), 4J inches 
in length and \% inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Carved with incised 
designs similar to, but not identical with, preceding. Sitka, Alaska. 
Collected by Mr. T. T. Minor. 

The following sets are in the Peabody Museum of American Archae- 
ology and Ethnology, Cambridge, Massachusetts: 

Set of forty-two wooden gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 203), 4i inches in 
length aud x %- inch in diameter, in leather pouch. Painted with red 
and black ribbons. Ends flat. Northwest Coast. 

Thirty-seven wooden gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 203a), 4f inches in 
length and -f s inch in diameter. Painted with red and black ribbons. 
Ends flat. Northwest Coast. 

Seventeen wooden gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 2035), 4J inches in length 
and -^ inch in diameter. Painted with red* and black ribbons. Ends 
nipple-shaped. Northwest Coast. 

Set of fifty-three wooden gambling-sticks (Cat. No. 1717), 4§ inches in 
length and § inch in diameter, in buckskin bag. Painted with red and 
black ribbons. Ends slightly rounded. Said to be Kolushan. Sitka, 
Alaska. Collected by Mr. E. G. Fast. 

Set of forty-three wooden gambling sticks (Cat. No. 1718), 5£ inches in 
length and § inch in diameter, in a buckskin bag. Twelve are inlaid 
with haliotis shell and the majority of the sticks are painted and burned. 
Ends rounded. Said to be Kolushan. Sitka, Alaska. Collected by Mr. 
E. G. Fast. 

Set of fifty-one wooden gambling- sticks (Cat. No. 48395), 5J inches in 
length aud J inch in diameter. Painted with red and black ribbons. 
Ends rounded. Collected by Mr. E. G. Fast. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CAK'DS. 



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918 KKPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

The carved gambling-sticks furnish a suggestion as to the probable 
origin of the seal cylinder such as was used in ancient Babylonia. 
Cylindrical stamps of uuglazed pottery, pierced with a hole like the 
seal-cylinder of Asia, are found in various parts of America. Such a 
stamp from Ecuador, bearing a highly conventionalized device of a bird 
| Plate 41, fig. 3), might readily have been derived from a carved arrow- 
shat'tment, and it is reasonable to believe that the Babylonian seal, 
often bearing devices of animals, and the carved gambling-stick, the 
emblem and symbol of a man, should have had a similar origin. 1 

The set of American Indian gambling sticks may be regarded as the 
antitype of the pack of playing-cards, to which, as will appear from 
the Korean htou-tjyen (No. 77), they directly lead. 

77. IItou tjyen. Playing-Oards. 2 Korea. 

(a) Pack of eighty cards. 

(b) Reproduction of native pictures; gamblers playing Htoutjyen.' 1 
(Plate 44.) 

The cards consist of strips of oiled paper 8 inches long by J inch 

wide. The backs are uniformly marked with tbe scroll as represented 

on fig. 218. Tbe cards are divided into eight suits as follows (fig. 219) : 

Sa-rdm (Chinese, yan), "man." 
Moul-ko-Jci (Chinese, «), "fish." 
Ea-nut-koui (Chinese, u), "crow." 
Khoueng (Chinese, chi), "pheasant." 
Xo-ro (Chinese, che'ung), "antelope." 
Pyel (Chinese, sing), "star." 
Etol-ki (Chinese, t'6), "rabbit." 
Mai (Chinese, md), "horse." 4 

The cards of each suit are distinguished by numerals from 1 to 9 
(tig. 220), the tenth card being designated as tjyang, "General." (Plate 
11. A variety of games are played with the cards in Korea, the games 
in general resembling those played with cards in China. At tbe present 
day a pack usually consists of forty to sixty cards of four or six suits 
instead of eight, and the suit marks are not represented upon the 
numeral-cards, as cards of all suits have precisely the same value in 
the commonest game. 

1 Korean Games, p. xxxii. It is gratifying to the writer that his theory of the origin 
of the seal-cylinder should have received such ready acceptance and confirmation by 
his colleague, Prof. Herman V. Hilprecht, of the University of Pennsylvania. In his 
Old Babylonian Inscriptions (I, Pt. 2, Philadelphia, 1896, p. 36), he writes: "It becomes 
now very evident that the Babylonian seal-cylinder, with its peculiar shape and use,, 
has developed out of the hollow shaft of an arrow marked with symbols and figures,, 
and is but a continuation and elaboration in a more artistic form of an ancient primi- 
tive idea." 

>i. No. 77047, U.S.N.M. Collected by Lieut. J. B. Bernadou, U.S.N. 
From Korean (iames. 

These suit marks may be regarded as tbe symbols of the Eight Directions, and 

inewhat closely, though evidently earlier, with the Eight Creatures: Horse, 

( »x, Dragon, Fowl, Swine, Pheasant, Dog, Goat, associated with the Eight Diagrams. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Plate 44. 



^i 2. 



$^i^Jf 




Korean Card Playing. 
From painting by native artist, reproduced in Korean Games. 



Report of U S National Museum, 1896.— Culm. 



Nft 



ffi 



n 



«B» 



w 



k 



U 



m 



Plate 45. 




; 



/ 



j 



lw 



88 



The Eight "General" Cards. 
Kore i. 
cat. No. ::<>4;. U.S.N.M. From Korean Qai 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



919 



The origin and significance of Korean playing-cards are revealed 

botli by their designs and by their name. The lat- 
ter, htou-tjyen, is the Chinese tau (sin, meaning *• ftghl 
ing tablets," tsin being a narrow slip intended to 
write on. Examining the reverse of the cards (fig. 
218) the device is seen to represent the feather of 
an arrow. Comparison of the eighty cards with the 
eighty arrow derived lots shows their practical iden 
tity, and we may conclude that the cards are highly 
conventionalized shaftments of arrows, retaining in 
their suit marks the same symbolism as that of the 
quiver of arrows from which they were derived. The 
Japanese mikuji. or "temple-lots'' (Xo. 68), no doubt 
illustrate, both in form and material, an earlier 
stage of the present paper cards. Mr. Wilkinson 
informed me that the Koreans say that the "tens- 
or "General" cards once bore pictures, more or less 
carefully drawn, of the various emblems portrayed, 
of which the present scrawls are declared to be cor- 
ruptions. This would seem to carry back, directly, 
the cards toward the type represented by the carved 
gambling-stick (No. 7G b). 

Of the Korean games with cards, which are de- 
scribed in detail in " Korean Games," the most com 
mon one is similar to the American Indian game of 
Straw (]>. <S94). Its name is YePpang-mang-V 

The cards are shuffled, as is customary, by the 
dealer, who divides the pack into two parts. These 
he holds at the top in each hand, drawing the ends 
of the cards, which lay side by side, through each 
other; or, the cards are drawn out near the bottom 
and put upon the top. 

One pack is used in this game and any number may 
play. The gamekeeper, Moul-tjyou, 2 deals a card 
facedown to each player, including himself, always 
drawing the cards from the bottom instead of from 
the top. The players have all put down their wagers, 
which have been covered by correspond ing amounts 
by the Moul-tjyou. The object of the game is to 
get two or three cards upon which the sum of the 



Fig 

Bl vi i;>i Of K"iu \N 
n. ayiN'. <■ LBD >n>'\v 
in.. L&BOH n \ I IIKH. 

Length, "j Inches. 



1 Yet-pan(/-man(/-i (yet is a " sweetmeat," pang-mang-i a "pestle" or "club" la the 
most popular game Sometimes the same player holds the bank for three rounds, 
sometimes for five. The game is a favorite with the Korean sharper, win. will 
abstract an extra card or, if dealer, will place a tjyang and a kou (ninej win 
will fall to himself. — Wilkinson. 

"Chinese, mat chii, ''things ruler." 



!>20 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



numerals is nine, called kap-o, or nineteen, the tens not counting, and 
only the units being" significant. In default of achieving nine, the 



mini) 



Fig. 219. 

SUIT MARKS ON KOREAN CARDS. 

From Korean Games. 




V 



lower units count, eight being considered good. Each player then 
draws one or two cards from the bottom of the pack. 
If the Moul-tjyou has an excess over any player, taking the sum of 

HIMJ 

Fig. 220. | 



NUMERALS ON KOREAN CARDS. 
From Korean Games. 



the numerals on his two or three cards, less the tens, he wins that 
player's stakes; but the players who count higher than the Moul-tjyou 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 46. 




^ZJtnre: 



* 




Shaftments of Practice Arrows. 

Korea. 
U. S. National Museum. From Korean Games. 



Report of U. S. National Museum. 1896.— Culfn. 



Wi m 



Plate 47. 







02L 




da 








Chinese Playing-Cards. 
Shoeing survivals of Korean card numerals as index-marks. 
Kiu Kiang. 
Cat. No. 6, Wilkinson collection, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsyh 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 921 

each wins an amount equal to their stakes from him. When both count 
alike, neither wins. Three cards having the same number count higher 
than nine. It will be observed that in this game the suit marks do not 
appear to be regarded, and it is to be inferred that the packs of forty 
and sixty cards, without suit-marks, are used for it. 

78. Practice Arrows. 1 Korea. Three from a set of five. 

The arrows used at the present day in archery (Plate 46). They are 
called you yep-tjyen (Chinese, Ian ip tsi'n), "willow-leaf arrows," and are 
made of bamboo, 34 inches in length. The point is of iron, nail-shaped, 
with a stop which fits against the fore-shaft. The latter is usually made 
of cherry wood, with or without the bark on, and is about 1 J inches in 
length. The footing, also of cherry wood, lias a cylindrical nock with 
a U-shaped notch. The feathers, three in number, are carefully and 
uniformly trimmed and are fastened with glue; on some, in a straight 
line, and on others, at a slight angle to the shaft. These arrows usually 
bear the personal name of the owner, written in Chinese characters, 
between the feathers. All of these arrows are numbered with Chinese 
characters, from one to five below the shaftment. 2 

These arrows are shown to illustrate the probable source of the 
Korean playing-cards, which, however, doubtless originated long before 
the art of writing was perfected. It will be observed that the arrows 
are numbered in sets of five, while the cards ;ire in suits of tens. In the 
tong-Tcai, or ceremonial quiver (No. 61), there are ten arrows, however, 
and the feathers on these arrows have black tips, which seem to be per 
petuated in the feather like marks on the backs of the cards. 

79. Playing-Cards. 3 Kiu Kiang, China. 

Xine cards of the suit of man, or "myriads" (Plate 47), from a set 
consisting of fonr packets of thirty cards each, and five jokers: the Five 
Blessings, Fu~k, Luk, Shan, Hi, Ts'oi, " Happiness, Promotion. Long life, 
Posterity, and Wealth." The four packets are like those of the succeed- 
ing cards (No. 80). 

It is probable that Chinese playing-cards, of which there are several 
kinds, take their form from the narrow Korean cards. The cauls with 
money-symbols seem to be in the direct line of descent, if not from 
cards of which the Korean are survivals, at least from cards of the 
same character and origin. These particular cards are shown ( Plate 1 7 
to illustrate the index marks on the ends of common occurrence <>n the 
cards of this type"), which may be survivals of the numerals on the 
Korean cards (fig. 220). Mr. Cashing regards these numerals as likely 
to have been derived from the cut cock feathers of the original arrows, 
Mr. Wilkinson, on the other hand, considers them to be modifications 
of Chinese numerals. 



1 U. S. National Museum. 

: Korean Games, p. xxi. 

3 Cat. No. 6, Wilkinson collection. If lis. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



922 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



80. Tseung-kwan P'AL Playing-Cards. 1 Kwangtung, ChiDa. 

Set of one hundred and twenty cards, comprising four packs of thirty 
cards, each containing nine cards, from one to nine, of the suits of 
ping, sok, and Jcun ( a cakes," "strings," and "myriads"), and three 
jokers: Pdkfd, Hungfri, and Lo ts^in ("White Flower," " Red Flower," 
and •< Old Thousand"). 




Fig. 221. 

HINDU PLAYING-CARD (FISH AVATAR). 
Cat. No. 19135, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

81. Hana -G-aruta. " Flower Cards." Playing-Cards, 2 Japan. 

Forty-eight cards with plain black backs, and faces bearing pictures 
of flowers in colors. Divided into twelve suits, which correspond with 
the twelve months and receive the following names: 3 

1. Matsu, Pine. 

2. Ume, Plum. 

3. Sakura, Cherry. 



( at. No. 169334, U.S.N. M. Gift of Stewart Culin. These cards were purchased in 
a Chinese shop in Washington, D. C, and are the kind used by the Chinese laborers 
in the United States. It maybe remarked that they are chiefly sold in this country 
for use as markers in the game of Fan Vein. Card-playing is very uncommon among 
the immigrants, and seldom if ever practiced except at the season of the New Year. 

- Cat. Xo. 150828, U.S.N.M. Gift of Mrs. J. K. Van Rensselaer. 

' ! Comprising the favorite flowers of Japan, which have been so arranged, accord- 
ing to their time of blooming, as to form a floral calendar. The list of flowers with 
their months is given by Dr. J. J. Rein. Japan, Travels and Resources, London, 
1884, p. 441. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



923 



4. Fugi, Wisteria. 

5. Ayame, Sweet Flag. 

6. Botan, Peony. 

7. Hai/i, Lespedeza (Hush Clover). 

8. Su8uki f Eularia. 

9. Kiku, Chrysanthemum. 

10. Momij'i, Maple 

11. Amc, Rain. 

12. Kiri, Paullownia. 

The game is played by three persons, one of whom deals seven cards to 
each player and seven face up on the table. The dealer then play- our a 
card, with which he endeavors to match one of those on the table. If 




Pig. 222. 

HINDU PLAYINQ-CABD (TOBKHSH I VAT AH). 

Mam ol Anhaakgy, Di vanU. 

successful, he takes up both cards and lays them aside. The points are 
counted, according to certain combinations of two or more cards, which 
a player may make either with the cards originally dealt him or with 
three taken up. These combinations are called yahu or "pri They 

are reckoned as equivalent to one or more kwan of twelve points. The 
counts are extremely numerous and complicated, and there are several 
varieties of the game. For a detailed account consult "Korean Games." 

» Bibliography: C. M. Belshaw, liana Fuda, the Japanese Flower Gam* 
monly known by the Japanese aa Bachi-jn-hachi or Eightj -eight, 9 pp., > »., J i 

hama, L892. 
R. Lehmann. Geaellschaftspiele der Japaner, IT. l: Ita garuta, ma Ml 



92 4 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

The oame applied to cards, caruta, is certainly the Spanish carta, but 
the cards appear to be distinctly Japanese, and to contain a suggestion 
of the primitive modes of thought under which they doubtless origi- 
nated. 

82. Ganjifa. Playing-Oards. 1 Lucknow, India. 

Set of ninety-six circular cards. Thin disks of lacquered card, 1£ 
inches in diameter. Backs plain red. Faces bear suit marks on 




Fig. 223. 
Hindu playing-card (Pdragu-Rdmd). 

Cat. No. 19135, Museum of Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania. 

grounds of different colors. There are eight suits (rang, "colors"), of 
twelve cards each, consisting of ten numerals and two court cards, 

published), Mittheilungen d. deutschen Gesellschaft f. Natur- und Volkerkunde 
Ostasiens, III. Pt.30,pp. 122-425, 4to., Yokohama, 1883. 

II. Spencer Palmer, Hana-awase, with colored facsimiles of playing-cards on four 
plates (Transactions Asiatic Society of Japan, XIX (Pt. 3), pp. 545-564), 8vo., Yoko- 
hama, L891. 

Mrs. ,J. King Van Rensselaer, Playing-Cards from Japan, with plates, 3 pp. (Pro- 
ceedings U. S.Nat. Mus., 1891, 8vo., Washington). 

The writer is indebted for the above list to Fr. Von Wenckstern's Bibliography of 
the Japanese Empire, Leiden, 1895. 

< at. No. 15280. Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

Mi . Ramaohandrayya informs me that the chief place of manufacture of playing- 
cards in India is Kondapalle, in the Presidency of Madras. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 



925 



Wazir and Shah. The suits, which are divided into " superior" and 
"inferior," beshbur and Lumbar, are as follows: 



SUPERIOR. 

Taj, "crown." 
Soofe'd, "white." 
Shumsher, 'saber." 
Gholam, 'slave." 



INFERIOR. 

Chung, "harp." 

Soorkh, "red." 
Burat, •• diploma." 
Quinuuh, "merchandise." 



The colors of the grounds in the same order are yellow, black, red, 
yellow, green, red, brown. Four additional packs of these cards in the 
University Museum agree with the above in number and design, varying 




Kg. 224. 

niNur playing oabd ( /' m&). 

hirology, University of Pennsylvania- 

only in diameter from 1,\ to 1 \ \ inches, and in fineness of execution. 
One pack (Oat. No. 191.34), apparently more ancient, is distinguished 
by superior finish, both in painting and lacquer. While the colors of the 
grounds of all these cards, with reference to the suit-marks, are prac- 
tically the same, they differ in this respect from the similar pack in the 
Museum of the Royal Asiatic Society described by Obatto, whogivefl 
a description of the game, taken from the Calcutta Magazine for 1815, 
The preceding cards may be regarded Persian or Mohammedan in 



1 Facts aud Speculations on the Origin am 1 Historj ofPlaj (Lb, London, U 

p. 35. 



*>2() REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

type. Such is not the case with the following packs in the University 
Museum, which bear Hindu emblems representing the ten avatars of 
Vishnu, from which they are known as the dasavatara mulu, or the 
Game of the Ten Incarnations. 

One pack (Oat. No. 19135) consists of one hundred and twenty lac 
qoered disks of cardboard, 4J inches in diameter, with plain red backs, 
and faces painted with suit-marks on grounds of different colors. There 
are ten suits of twelve cards each, consisting of ten numerals and two 
court-cards. The court-cards bear representations of the ten avatars 
of Vishnu, one of the two of each suit having a single figure, and the 
other the same figure in a kind of temple, with two attendants (figs. 
221-224). The marks of the numerals are as follows: 

1. Matsyd, the fish. Fish, black. 

2. Kurma, the tortoise. Tortoise, brown. 

3. Varah, the boar. Conch, dark green. 

4. Xara-Simha, the man-lion. Flower, 1 blue. 

5. Vatnana, the dwarf. Lota,- blue. 

6. Pdragu-Edrnd. Axe, white. 

7. Bdmd-Chandra. Arrow, red. 

8. Krishna. Pestle, green. 

9. Buddha. Lotus flower, yellow. 

10. Kalkind, the " white horse." Sword, red. 

Another pack (Cat. No. 1915G) in the same museum, 3 J inches in 
diameter, corresponds in number, the emblems also referring to t\w 
ten avatars. The colors and suit marks vary somewhat in order from 
the preceding. 

1. Matsyd. Fish, red. 

2. Kurma. Tortoise, red. 

3. Varah. Boar, yellow. 

4. Xara-Simha. Lion, green. 

5. Vamana. Lota, green. 

6. Pdrapu-Bdmd. Ax, brown. 

7. Kama- Chandra. Bow and arrow, yellow. 

8. Krishna. Disk, 3 brown. 

9. Buddha. Conch, black. 
10. Kalkind. Sword, black. 

Another pack (Cat. No. 16585/), 3 inches in diameter, incomplete, 
agrees with the preceding. 

Another pack (Cat. No. 165856), 3 inches in diameter, also incom- 
plete, apparently has eight suits, of which the first, third, fifth, sixth, 
eighth, and ninth agree with the preceding. In addition there is a 
green suit on which the marks are small yellow rectangles bearing the 
legend sriga. 

My informant, Mr. P. Ramachandrayya, of Guntur, India, was unable to identify 
this emblem. It resembles a flower, but may be a mace. 

Water vessel. 

My informant was unable to identify this emblem, a yellowish disk with a red 
dot in the center. 



CHESS AND PLAYIN<i-CAKI)S. 



!»•_>: 



Another pack (Cat. No. 10585c), 3-fc inches in diameter, incomplete, 
has six suits: first, third, fifth, seventh, eighth, and ninth, agreeing 
with Cat. No. 19156. 

Two other packs (Cat. No. 16585a), 2} inches, and (Cat. No. L6585d), 
3-$,- inches in diameter, both incomplete, each has four suits with the 
following marks: 

Ax, red. 

Trident, yellow. 
Rectangle, 1 ^reen. 
Mace, black. 

The court cards are missing. 

From the comparison of these packs it would appear that as in the 
Ganjifa variations occur in the colors associated with certain suit marks, 




Pig. 226. 

HINDI' PLAYING I LED {Buddha). 

Cat. No. i'.<7:;:>, Riueum of Archeology, Ualvaralty "t lYunsylvanim. 

and, also, as in the case of the Korean cards Etoutjyen (No. 77). that 
there has been a progressive diminution of the suits; in this oase from 
ten to four. Changes and substitutions arc also seen t<> have occurred 
in the suit marks. 

The opinion was expressed by Mr. Ramachandrayya that the Bind a 
cards, not being mentioned in the early records, were probably imitated 

'In one pack (Cat. Xo. 16686a), this inscribed ird 



928 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

from those of Europe. The writer believes that it is more likely that 
their origin rests directly upon older Asiatic traditions. 1 
83. Ganjifeh. Playing Cards. 2 Persia. 

Fifty- seven cards of a set of sixty. Card-pieces about 2 J by 1J 
inches, consisting of thick lacquered cardboard with black backs. 
The faces bear pictures painted *in colors upon gold-foil, the grounds 
being of five different colors. These are as follows: 

Black: Lion devouring serpent; lion devouring ox; lions and serpent. 

Three varieties. 
Green: Youth (King) seated. Three varieties. 
Yellow: Woman (Queen). Five varieties, in four of which the woman is 

accompanied by a child. 
Gold : Youth ; hunter Three varieties. 
Red: Dancing-girls. Three varieties. 

A pack of Persian playing-cards in the possession of Mrs. C. C. 
Curtis, of Albion, New York, are identical with the preceding in size 
and material, but bear somewhat different designs. They number 
twenty cards, of five different colors, black, yellow (white), red, gold, 
and green, four of each. There are two cards of each kind, making 
len different cards. 

Black: Two lions devouring two serpents; lion devouring antelope (Plate 

48a, />.) 
Yellow: King on throne; mother (Madonna?) with child. (Plate 48c, d.) 
Red: Lady with child; girl with wineglass and hottle. (Plate 49a, b ) 
Gold: Two soldiers; lad with dog. (Plate 49c, d.) 
Green: Dancing-girls; queen on throne. (Plate 50a, &.) 

The first-mentioned cards of each pair agree with those described 
below by General Schindler. It will be observed that the uniform of 
the soldiers, that of the English East India Company, precludes the 
possibility of any high antiquity for these particular cards. 3 

Gen. A. Houtum Schindler, of Teheran, in reply to a letter of inquiry 
addressed by the writer, has forwarded the following account of Persian 
cards: 

The old Persian name for these cards was ganjifeh — a word, I think, derived from 
the Chinese (chi-p'di — literally, paper-cards, the modern Chinese for playing-cards), 
with the Persian word ganj=z ''treasure" prefixed. It may have also been origi- 
nally Kan-chu-p ( di = cards from Kanchu, in the Kansu province. The word ganjifeh 
is in Persian now only employed for European playing-cards (four suits, ace to ten; 
three picture cards each suit), which, however, are also called varak, while the old 
Persian playing-cards are known as varak ids — varak i asanas — or simply as, from the 
.sum- da or dsanda, which is played with them. From travelers in Persia in the sev- 



As an analogue to the rectangular, arrow-derived cards of Eastern Asia maybe 
found in the playingsticks of the northwest coast of America, so the w T ooden gam- 
Id in^-disks of the same Indians may be taken as possible American equivalents of 
thi circular cards of India. 

Cat. No. 182.-)S. Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

; Six Persian curds similar to those described are figured by Mrs. J. K. Van Rensse- 
in The Devil's Picture Books, London, 1892. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culm. 



Plate 48. 







Playing-Cards (ganfifeh). 
Length. 8ft inches: width. 1] iiu : 
Persia. 
In the possession of Mrs. C. G Curtis. Albion, New York. 



Report of U. S. National Museum, 1896. — Culin. 



Plate 49. 







Playing-Cards (ganjifeh). 
Persia. 

In the possession of Mrs. 0. 0. Curtis. All'i"". NVw York 



Report o r U. S National Museum, 185*6. — Culm. 



Plate 50. 





Playing-Cards Iganji) 
Pen 
In the possession of Mrs. C. C Curtis, Albion, Sexi York. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 920 

enteenth century -\vo know that a sot of ganjtfeh consisted of ninety or n 

cards in eight suits or colors. At present a set consists of twenty cards in in c 

colors or values. These values are : 

1. Shir va Khurshid or as : Lion and Sun, or Aeo. 

2. Shah or Pa di-sh a : King. 

3. liibi: Lady (or Queen). 

4. Sarbdz : Soldier (or Knave). 

5. Laic at (meaning something of little value): generally a dancing-girl. 
The backs of the cards are always black or of a dark color, but their faces havo 

grounds of different colors, viz : The Lion and Sun, a black ground ; the King, ■ white 
ground; the Lady, red; the soldier, gold; the Lakal, green. The pictures on the 
cards show much variety and are often obscene, particularly those on the card of 
the lowest value. The ordinary types as now made are : Ace, a Lion and Sun. as in 
the Persian arms; a King sitting on a throne; a European lady in a quaint costume; 
a Persian soldier shouldering his rifle; a Persian dancing-girl. The word ganjtfeh I 
have explained. As is no doubt our word ''ace, ' probably introduced into India 
through the Portuguese Neither of the words is found in Persian dictionaries. 
The game of As is exactly like Poker, but without any flushes or sequences. There 
are four players, and each player gets five cards, dealt to the right. The dealer puts 
down a stake. The first player then looks at his cards. If he "goes," he says 
didam (I have seen), and covers the stake or raises it. If he does not wish to play, 
he says nadidam (I have not seen) and throws his cards. He may also "go" without 
looking at his cards — that is, in poker parlance, "straddle" — and he says undid 
didam (not seeing, I have seen). The second player, if he wishes to play, must cov< r 
the stakes, and can also raise. The third player and the dealer then act in the same 
way just as in poker, and when the stakes of all players are equal and no one i 
any more the cards are turned up and the player holding the best hand wins tin- 
stakes. 
The hands in the order of their value are as follows: 

Seh vajust, i e., three and a pair; a "full." 
Sehta, i. e., threes, aces, kings, etc. 
Dojust, i. e., two pairs ; aces highest. 
Just, i. e., one pair; aces highest. 
When two players have the same pair or pairs, the 01 her cards decide; for instai 
a pair of kings, ace, soldier, and laleat, 

"Bluffing" is a feature of the game and is called tup zadan : lit -.illy, "fire off a 
gun.'* A bluff is tup. 

84. Playing-cards. 1 Siam. Nineteenth century. 

Pack of eighty cards, painted in colors on black cardboard,!. 1 , by 
2J inches. One suit often cards eight times repeated, comprising 
numeral-cards with conventional flowers as suit-marks: from two 
eight cards with pictures of fish; eight cards with picture of man in 
native dress, and eight with grotesque picture of man with Bword. 

85. Tarocchi. Playing-Cards 8 (Venetian Tarots). Milan/Italy. N 

teenth century. 

Seventy-eight cards, comprising twenty-two attuti and ftfl nu- 

merals. The suit-marks of the numeral scries;! r»> Coppe, Danari, Spade, 
tmdBastoni; "Cups," "Money," "Swords," and ••clubs." The conrt- 



l Cat. No. 16528, Mus Arch.. Univ. Penn. 
*Cat. No. l.")G15, Mob. Arch . Univ. Penn. 
NAT MUS 96 59 



f)30 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

cards are designated as Re, Regina, Car alio, and Fantc. The attuti are 
numbered and bear the following names: 

I. IlBagattella. IX. L' Eremita. XVII. Le Stelle. 

II. La Papessa. X. Rout. Dellafor. XVIII. La Luna. 

Ill 1/ Imperatrice. XI. La Forza. XIX. II Sole. 

IV. L' Imperatore. XII. L' Appeso. XX. II Giudizio. 

V. II Papa. XIII. XXI. II Mondo 

VI. GHAmanti. XIV. LaTeraperau. II Matto 

VII. IlCarro. XV. IlDiavolo. 

VIII. La Giustizia. XVI. La Torre. 

The thirteenth card with the picture of " death" bears no name, 1 and 
the matto is not numbered. 

The origin of European playing-cards is extremely obscure. They 
arc variously regarded as having been invented in Europe, and to have 
been introduced from the East. Will shire 2 favors the former view, and 
assigns the earliest European cards to Italy, while others believe them 
to have been derived from China, or to have been introduced by the 
Arabs or Gypsies. 

There are two principal kinds of European cards; one consisting of 
from thirty-two to fifty-six cards, comprised in four suits, each com- 
posed of a series of numeral cards and court or coate-cards, or hon- 
ours; and another, called Tarots (France) or Tarocchi (Italy), in which 
the preceding pack is supplemented with twenty-two or more cards 
called ((touts (France) or atutti (Italy), bearing emblematic devices of 
a mythological or historic character- The earliest, or what are believed 
to be the earliest, Italian cards are of the latter kind. 

There are three varieties of Italian Tarots, according to Wiltshire: 
the Tarots of Venice or Lombardy, regarded by him as the parent 
game; the Minchiate of Florence, and the Tarocchino of Bologna. 

The source of the allegorical designs on the cards of the emblematic 
sequence has been referred to a series of early Italian prints bearing 
full-length figures illustrating the various conditions of life — the Muses, 
Arts, Sciences, etc. — which are regarded as having been intended for 
purposes of instruction rather than for play. These prints, known as 
the Tarocchi di Mantegna or the Carte di Baldini, exist in several 
European collections, and are fifty in number, arranged in five series, 
consecutively numbered (So. S6). Mr. W. H. Wilkinson, in a paper 
on the Chinese Origin of Playing-Cards, 4 in which he presents a strong 

'In a similar pack from Piacenza (Gius Beghi), the thirteenth card is laheled 
l.i> Specchio. 

A I ►escripl ive Catalogue of Playing and Other Cards in the British Museum, 1876. 
For a discussion of the relations of European and Oriental playing-cards see: 
Karl Iliiuly, Morgenliindisch oder abendlandisch? Forschungen nach gewissen 
Spielausdriicken, Zeitschrift d. deutschen morgenlandischen Gesellschaft, XLIII, 
pp. 11."), 555. For a list of hooks on playing-cards, consult A Bibliography of Card- 
Gamea and of the History of Playing-Cards, compiled by Norton T. Horr, Cleveland, 
Ohio, 1892. 

••American Anthropologist, January, 1895. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 931 

argument in favor of the Chinese origin of European cards, regards 
the Italian Tarot pack as a suggestive compound of the two national 
card games of China; Kon //', played with Kwan p'di (No. 80), and Fin 
kau, played with dominoes (No. 21), or domino-cards No. 22 . In the 
light thrown by the study of Korean cards upon the origin of playing 
cards in Asia, the present writer' believes that while it is more than 
probable European playing-cards had an identical origin with those of 
China, it is not yet apparent that there was any actual transference of 
cards or card-games. In his opinion it maybe concluded that the four 
suits of European cards were originally the emblems of the Four 

Directions. 

• 

86. Tarocchi di Mantegna. Misero (I); Marte (Mars) (XLV). 

Reproductions 1 of originals in the British Museum. From Will- 
shire. 
The first is regarded by some as the source of the design on the 
Mutto or Fou of the Tarot series, and the second that of II Carro ( VII). 
The resemblance between the emblems testifies either to a descent of 
both compositions from an antecedent or common type, or that the piece 
Xo. 7 of the old Venetian Tarots is simply a modification of No. 45 of 
the Italian sequence (Wiltshire). 

87. Minchiate. Playing-Cards. 2 Florence, Italy. Nineteenth century. 
Pack of ninety-seven cards, comprising fifty-six numeral cards and 

forty-one atutti. The former are similar to those of the preceding 
pack (No. 85). The atutti from I to XXV are numbered. 

Willshire describes the characteristics of the Florentine Minchiate 
as follows : 

In place of the twenty-two atulti of the old Venetian sequence there are forty- 
one tarots proper, i. c, nineteen of the older series, or what are equivalent to them, 
and twenty-two additional tarot 8, including the Mat to or Fou. The chief modifica- 
tions of the old Venetian sequence are: the figure of Le Pape (No. V) is withdrawn j la 
Pap€88e (No. II) becomes Le Grand Due; UlmpiratrUe (No. Ill) and L'Empi n NTo. 
IV) represent the "Emperor of the "West" and the " Emperor of the Easl " respec- 
tively; VEermite (No. IX) becomes an old man upon crutches {Le Sdblier No. XI , 
having behind him a star and above his shoulders an hourglass transfixed by an arrow ; 
while La Maison Dun ou la Foudre (No. XVI) is discarded, or is perhaps metamor- 
phosed into L'Enfer (No. XV), L'EtoileQXo. XVII), La Lune (No. XVIII), U 8 
(No. XIX), and Le Monde (No. XXI) are retained. To this slight modification <>f 
the old Venetian Tarots are added the three theological virtue-. PaitL No. X\ III . 
Hope (No. XVI), and Charity (No. XIX). Other additional pieces are: One of the 
four cardinal virtues, Prudence (No. XVII) ; the four elements of the ancient philo 
phers. as Fire (No. XX), Water (No. XXI), Earth (No. XXII \ Air No. XXIII j the 
twelve signs of the Zodiac (Nos. XXIV to XXXV); the remainder of tl on- 

eluding with the Star, the Moon, the Sim, the World, and La i:> itommje. 

Willshire states that there is a tradition that Minchiate vras invented 
by Michael Angelo to teach children arithmetic 



1 Lent by Stewart Cnlin. 

2 Cat. No. 15G41, Mns. Arch., Univ. I'enn. 



932 KEPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

88, 1 akdcchino. Flaying-Cards. 1 Bologna, 2 Italy. Nineteenth 
century. 

Park of sixty six cards, comprising forty numeral-cards and twenty- 
two atutti. The numeral-cards are like those of the preceding packs, 
except that they are double-headed, instead of having full-length 
figures, and in that the twos, threes, fours, and fives are suppressed, the 
latter beiug the chief characteristic of the Tarocchino. The atutti bear 
designs copied from a Florentine Minchiate set. 

According to Willshire, this modification of the Tarot game was 
invented at Bologna, early in the fifteenth century, by Francesco 
Fibbia (Prince of Pisa), an exile in that city, dying there in 1419. The 
word tarocchino is a diminutive of tarocchi, a name early applied to any 
game with Tarots. 

80. Tarots. Playing-Oards. 3 French. 4 Claude Burdel, 1751. 

Pack of combined Tarots ; that is, twenty- two atouts and fifty-six 
numerals. The suits of the numeral series have the old marks: 
Coupes, Deniers, Bastons, and Epees — "Cups," "Money," "Clubs," and 
" Swords." The court-cards are designated as Roy, Reyne, Cavalier, 
and Valet. The atouts are numbered and bear the following names: 

I. Le Batelevr. IY. Lermite. XVII. Lestoille. 

II. La Papesse. X. La Rove de Fortvne. XVIII La Lvne. 

III. L'lniperatrise. XI La Force. XIX. Le Soleil. 

IV. L'Emperevr. XII. Le Pendv. XX. Le Ivgement 
V. Le Pape. XIII. XXI. Le Monde. 

VI. L'amovrevx. XIV. Tenperance. Le Mat. 

VII. Lecharior. XV. Le Diable. 

VIII. Iustice. XVI. La Maison Diev. 

The thirteenth card with the picture of death bears no name, and 
the twenty-second, the mat, is not numbered. It will be observed that 
the suit-marks are similar to those of Italy, this being almost uniformly 
the case with Tarot packs. 

00. Tarok-Karten. 5 Playing-Cards. Tarots. Frankfurt- am-Main. 6 
Germany. Nineteenth century. 
Pack of seventy-eight cards, comprising fifty-six numerals and 
twenty-two atouts. The numerals bear French suit-marks, and the 
court cards pictures of historical personages. The King of Diamonds 
is Charles I; the Queen, Elizabeth; the Knight, Marlborough, and the 
Knave, Shakespeare. The Hearts bear French portraits; the Spades, 
Russian, and the Clubs, German. The atouts are numbered from I to 
XXI, and are ornamented with pictures referring to the four nations: 
England, France, Germany, and Russia. 

1 Cat. Xo. 15555, Mus. Arch., Univ. Pemi. 

2 Emilia Angiolini. 

3 Lent by Stewart Culin. 

; 1 Probably made in Switzerland. A similar pack of French Tarots in the University 
Museum (Cat. No. 19316) is inscribed " Jacijue Burdel Cartier a Fribouxg en Suisse, 
1*13." 

6 Cat. No, 1571$ Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
B. Dondorf. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 033 

German Tarot packs, railed Tarok, vary greatly in their ornamental 

and symbolic designs from the Italian cards from which the}' are man 
ifestly copied. 

91. Jeu des 78 Tarots ISgyptiens. 1 Paris, 2 France. Nineteenth 
century. 

Set of seventy-eight numbered cards, intended for fortune-telling, 
with designs copied from the Tarot pack. Accompanied by a hand- 
book, entitled Art de Tirer les Cartes. 

The use of cards for the purpose of fortune-telling is well known. 
Indeed, it is the opinion of some authorities that cards were introduced 
into Europe for the purpose of divination and fortune-telling, by the 
Gypsies, some time between 1275 and 1325. There is evidence that 
cards were used for this purpose early in the sixteenth century. 
According to Wiltshire, recourse to cards for divinatory purposes 
gradually declined among the upper classes until the middle of the 
eighteenth century, though it prevailed, no doubt, among the lowest 
grades of society frequenting fairs and the caravans of mountebanks. 
In 1750, divination with cards again became popular, and at this period, 
in 1753, a perruquier, named Alliette, who reversed the letters of his 
name, and called himself Etteilla, superseded the ordinary practice 
of employing the cards of the pack singly, and substituted the art of 
reading the mysteries they might unfold when the whole sequence was 
arranged upon a table. 

The emblematic figures of the Tarot pack have been the object of 
much speculation, and their origin is said to extend back to the ancient 
Egyptians, from whom they have descended to us as a book or series of 
subjects of deep symbolic meaning. The discovery and explication 
of this supposed source and hidden meaning of the Tarots employed 
in modern times was claimed by M. Court de Gebelin in 1781. He 
asserts that the series of seventy-eight Venetian Tarots has an unques- 
tionable claim to be regarded as an Egyptian book, and that it is based 
upon the sacred Egyptian number seven. Alliette applied the theories 
of M. de Gebelin to the use of cards in fortune telling, and numerous 
packs are made even at the present day to be used in accordance n ith 
the system which he formulated. 

92. Carte da Giuocare. Playing-Cards. 3 Bologna, 4 Italy. Nine- 

teenth century. 

Forty cards of four suits: Coppe, Danari, Spade, and Bastoni; the 
court cards, ifo, Begina, and Fante; the numerals, ace to seven, the 
eights, nines, and tens being suppressed, agreeing with the pack used 
in the Spanish game of El Hombre. 

The above may be regarded as a characteristic Italian pack. A dis- 
tinctive character of the marks of the numerals in the suits of 9padi 



1 Cat. No. 9010, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

8 J. Lismon. 

3 Cat. No. L5594, Mob. Arch., 1'mv. Penn. 

4 Pietro Barigazzi. 



034 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

and Biistoni is the mode in which they are interlaced or connected 
together in place of standing separately or apart. The curved forms, 
too. of the Spade, or swords, are specially Italian in design. The 
designs on cards vary in different parts of Italy. Thus in the south, 
cards with Spanish marks are used, while the Florentine pack bears 
French suit-marks. Cards are made at the present day in many of 
the Italian cities. Each maker supplies not only those of the local 
type, but usually those of other cities. Stencils are still used for some 
of the cheaper cards. 1 

93. Carte da Giuocare. Playing-Cards. 2 Naples, 3 Italy. 

Forty cards of four suits like the preceding, except that the suit- 
marks are similar to those on Spanish cards. 

94. Carte da Giuocare. Playing-Cards. 4 Florence, 5 Italy. 
Forty cards of four suits like the preceding, except that the cards bear 

French suit-marks. Designated as Carte Romane. 

95. Trappola Cards. 6 Austria. Nineteenth century. 

Thirty-six cards of four suits, agreeing with the Italian, except that 
the danari are replaced with conventional flowers. The three, four, 
five, and six of numerals are suppressed. The court-cards are Re, 
Cavallo, and Fante. These cards are remarkable for their length, being 
5j\r by 2 i 5 - 6 - inches. 

According to Willshire, there are no marks special to Trappola, it 
being played with a series of numerals, of which the three, four, five, 
and six of each suit are suppressed, and as long as this is done it may 
be played with cards showing no matter what marks of suits. From 
the circumstances of its being a Venetian game, the original marks ot 
the suits were naturally the Italian ones. 7 

96. IIispano-American Cards. Reproductions" of originals in the 

Archives of the Indies. Seville, Spain. 
[a) Facsimile in color of an uncut sheet, 11 by 17 inches, with wood- 
block impression of twenty four cards colored in red, blue, and black, 
2 by 3J inches. They represent the court cards of the suits of Capos, 
Oros, Espadas, and Bastos, and ten numeral or pip-cards of the suit of 
swords. There are but three court-cards for each suit instead of four, 

'The following list of Italian card panties is given by Mr. W. W. Story (Roba di 

Roma, I, p. 160) : liriscolla, Tresette, Calubresella, Banco-Fallito, Eossa e Xera, Scarac- 

<i. 8copa, 8pizzica, Faraone, Zecchinetto, Mercanie in Fiera, La J'«::ica, Iiitba-Moute, 

i omo-Nero, and La Paura. Descriptions follow of Zecchinetto, Brisoola* Treaclte, and 

Calabresella. 

it No. 15563, Bins. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
incenzo Knsso. 

.t.No. 15603, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
Antonio Poli. 

i . No. 15738, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
7 Similar cards to those exhibited are used at the present day in Silesia. 
Made for the author in Madrid through the courtesy of the late Selior Don Justo 
Zaragosaa. 



CHESS AND TLA VINO-CARDS. 



935 



as in the present Spanish pack. The marks of the numeral suil eon 
of crossed swords instead of being arranged as oo the current Spanish 
cards. The back of this sheet bears an inscription in pen and ink: 
Nueva Espana, 1583. Archivo dc Indias, No. 117. Dibujo. 

(b) Photograph of uncut sheet of the same size, imprinted with designs 
for the backs of eighteen cards. The devices arc all different, and 
embrace a mixture of Mexican and European subjects, including the 
Emperor Montezuma (fig. 226), his successor, Quahtemotzin, Dative 
priests performing various 
rites, and grotesque figures, 
apparently of the school of 
Albert Durer. 1 

Playing-cards, early intro- 
duced by the conquerors, were 
known to the ancient Mexi- 
cans under the amapatolli. 2 

97. Xaipes. Playing-Cards. ! 
Cadiz, Spain. Nine- 
teenth Century. 

Forty- eight cards of four 
suits, Copas, OroSj Espadas, 
nudBastos: "Cups." "Money," 
"Swords," and "Clubs." The 
court cards are Key, Caballo, 
and Sota : " King." •'Knight," 
and "Knave." This is the 
legitimate Spanish pack, the 
tens, as is customary, being 
suppressed. 

According to Willshire, no 
remains of very old Spanish 
cards have reached our time. 
The Hispano-American cards 
in the Archives of the Indies 
at Seville (No. 96) a re prol >ably 
the oldest Spanish cards in ex- 
istence. Spanish cards are characterized bycertain pecularities evinced 
by actual examples and historical allusions. Spanish Tarots are un- 
known, and it is doubtful if such ever existed. All Spanish parks are 
of the numeral kind. In a legitimate Spanish pack there are only 
forty-eight cards instead of fifty-two. There is no Queen among the 

'The early publication of these card-sheets with explanatory notes La intended 
by the writer. 

3 Compounded of amatl, "paper," with patolli, a general word for a ganic of 
kind, derived from patoa, "to plaj a game" D. G. Brinton . Igaiu we nave quamk 

patolli, ''wood game" ehess. 

3 Cat.No. L67574, U.S.N.M. Gift of Dr. G. Brown Goode. 




226. 

RKVBB8B OV HI8PAKO- AMEBIC AM im.wiv.. UU>. 

(The Emperor Montezuma.) 
Impression, 2j by i Inches. 

M. \M ••. 1 
From photui^-aph "f orig n:il In Ar.h 



93G REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

honors, her place being 1 supplied by a Caballero or Caballo. The marks 
are similar to those of Italy, but the Spanish designs differ from the 
former, as do the figures on the coat-cards. While the Italian kings 
are seated, the Spanish kings are erect, and their vast mantles are 
surcharged with large ornaments, as in the case of the French kings. 
The swords are straight, double-edged rapiers; the batons, kuotty 
branches of trees, and these knotty branches are placed sometimes 
horizontally, sometimes vertically, close to each other, but always so 
arranged that they are never interlaced in the manner common to the 
numeral-cards of the Italian Tarots. 

98. Xaipes Playiug-Cards. 1 Cadiz, Spain. Nineteenth Century. 
Purchased in Peru. 

Pack of forty cards similar to preceding, except that eights, nines, 
and tens are suppressed. Such a pack was used for the Spanish game 
of El Hombre or Ombre. 
!>!>. Playing-Cards. 2 Apache Indians. United States. 

Pack of forty cards painted with native colors upon tanned hide. 
Four suits of ten cards each, directly copied from the Spanish cards, 
No. 98, but with the designs of the suit-marks and court-cards modified 
to accord with native ideas. 

Capt. John G. Bourke informed me that the Apache have borrowed 
many of the words relating to playing-cards, as well as the cards them- 
selves, from the Mexicans. The four suits they call Copas, Uscudos, 
Espadas, and Bastones or Palos. The names of Rey and Sota are the 
same as in Spanish, but the Caballo is Jliv or " Horse." The Ace they 
call As, but for the other numerals native names are used: Naqui, 2; 
Taqui, 3; Tingui, 4; Irosh May, 5; Custan, 6; Cusetti, 7. "Shuffle" 
is jli-kashi-aehe. Captain Bourke says: " I think this means ' I take 
or hunt for the horse Caballo:' Jli or jliv = horse; Tea, abbreviation for 
daka = card; shi = I, and acid = wish, take, hunt." Cut is da-na, and 
cards, daka (carta). Their game they call Gon-quien, "with whom-" 
It is also known by the native name of Ddka-cunitsnun = " Cards ten." 
The Rey or King is also called Inju or Inshu = "Good." 
1<h). Playing-Cards. Celebes. 3 Nineteenth century. 

Pack of forty cards painted in red, yellow, green, and black on. white 
cardboard, with red backs. Four suits of ten cards, with the numer- 
als eight, nine, and ten suppressed. Degenerate European cards, cor- 
responding with the Spanish pack, So. 98, from which they appear to 
have been derived. 

101. Cartes 1 joueb. Playing-Cards. 4 Piquetpack. Paris, France. 
Nineteenth century. 
Thirty-two cards. Suits: Carreaiu; Cceurs, Piques, and Trefles. 

' it. No. 7111, Mus. Arch., Univ. Perm. 
! Cat No. 10490, [J.S.N.M. 
Cat No. 134088, [J.S.N.M. Collected by Mr. Victor Janny, United States Consu- 
lar Agent. 

at. No. 7394, .Mus. Arch., Tniv. l'eiin. 



CHESS AXD PLAYING-CARDS. 037 

The kings bear the names of Caesar, Charles, David, and Alexander; 
the queens, Rachel, Judith, Pallas, and Argine; and the knaves, Lahire, 
Hector, Hogier, and Lancelot. 

The earliest French cards known are said to be those in the Carpen- 
tier collection. These cards are fourteen in number, painted 1»\ hand 
about the commencement of the fifteenth century. They bear the same 
suit-marks as the French cards of the present day. These marks \\ ere 
so persistently maintained and introduced on cards exported to all 
countries that a regular type or class of cards became known as French 
cards, as opposed to Italian cards on the one hand and to German cards 
on the other. 

At first the figure-cards or honors were without names on them, but 
about the last quarter of the sixteenth century names were attached. 
French playing-cards having on them the suit-marks, Cceurs, Carreaux, 
TrefleSj and Piques* are often termed Piquet packs. The game of Piquet 
is one in which, up to the beginning of the eighteenth century, the pack 
consisted of thirty-six cards, the two, three, four, and five of each suit 
being suppressed, as in Trappola and the Tarocchino of Bologna. From 
the date mentioned the six of each suit has been omitted, so the Piqu< t 
pack has now but thirty-two cards. 

102. Spiel- Karten. Playing-Cards. 1 Frankfort-on-the-Main. Ger- 

many. Nineteenth century. 

Pack of thirty- six cards of four suits: Hi r:> n. Laub, Eicheln,a,nd Schi 1- 
len, or "Hearts," "Leaves," "Acorns," and '-Bells." The numerals are 
ace, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten, the suppression of the two, three, 
four, and five being a peculiarity of the true German pack. The court- 
cards are the Konig, "King," and .the Obermann and Untennantij supe- 
rior and inferior valets. 

Willshire states that, according to trustworthy authorities, allusion 
is made to playing-cards in the Pflichtbiicher of Niirnberg for L384, and 
there is extant an ordinance of the town council of Dim for the year 
1397 prohibiting their employment. "11 is probable," he says, "that 
the Germans very soon altered for themselves the Italian marks of the 
suits, making use of figures of animals For differentiating the latter.*' 
The earliest German cards known have dogs, falcons, stags, and ducks 
for suit-marks. These "animated" cards were, however, soon followed 
by a series having the more national signs of Roth or lit rn n, Laub or 
Orun, Eicheln, and 8cheUen, or Hearts. Leaves, Scorns, and Bells. 

103. Spiel-Karten. Playing-CardS. 3 Leipsic, Germany. "La Belle 

Alliance." 
Pack of thirty-six cards with German suit-marks, like the preceding. 
Numerals bear colored pictures of the battle of Leipsic, L813j the Kit 
portraits of the allied sovereigns, and the other court cards, generals. 



■Cat. No. 15712, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

2 B. Dondorf. 

3 Cat. No. 17826, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. Collected by Col. Joseph ».. Boa 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

KM. Spiel-Karten. Playing-Oards. 1 Vienna.- Austria. 

Park of thirty two cards with German suit-marks. Court-cards bear 
pictures of the heroes of the story of William Tell; the Aces emble- 
matic pictures of the four seasons. Designated as Schweizer Deutsche. 

105, Spiel-Karten. Playing-Cards. 3 "Swiss cards." Scliafthausen, 
Switzerland. Nineteenth century. 

Pack of thirty-six cards bearing as suit-marks. Bells (schellen), Flowers 
blunn . Shields (schildclien . and Acorns (eicheln). The numerals com- 
prise the Ace, Two, Six, Seven, Eight, and Xine: the court-cards, 
Konig, Ober, and Fitter . 

Willshire states that the old cards of Switzerland were evidently 
derived from Germany. The numeral cards of Sehaft'hausen are as 
above, while they run from 1 to 9 in those of Soleur. 

IOC. Spiel-Karten. Playing-Cards. 4 Swiss views and costumes. 
Schaffhausen. 5 Switzerland. Nineteenth century. 

Whist pack of fifty-two cards with French suit-marks. The backs 
of the cards and the Aces bear pictures of Swiss scenery, and the court- 
cards Swiss peasants in the costume of different Cantons. 
107. Spille-Kort. Playing-Cards. 6 Denmark. 7 Nineteenth century. 

Whist pack of fifty-two cards with French suit-marks. 
L08. Kiele-Kort. Playing-Cards. 8 Swedish. 9 Nineteenth century. 

Pack of forty-two cards, printed in black on lavender-colored card 

board, comprising two each of a numerical series from one to twelve, 

marked with fleur-de-lis, and two each of the lollowing picture cards: 

Blaren, fool. 
Arelquin, harlequin. 
l'ottan, flower ]>ot. 
Krans. wreath. 
Wardshw, inn. 
Hush. boar. 

all, knight (horseman). 
Husar, hussar. 

('urn. cuckoo. 

The name of the game, Kille, is applied to the harlequin. According 
he work cited below, this game is known in Sweden by the name 
ot Gambio, "exchange." 

A corresponding modern Danish game called Gnavspil,™ in the 

Cat. No. 15686, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
•Josef Glanz. 

it. So. 17--':;. Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
^C;it. No. 15726, Mas. Arch., ("niv. Penn. 
.I<:m Mailer. 

o. 7598, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
L. P. Holmblad, Kjobenhavn. 

t. tfo. 16576, Mob. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
'These cards, purchased in Chicago, bear the legend " Chicago" on the wrapper, 
and were probably made in the United States. 
S. Salomon &Co., Copenhagen. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 






University Museum, 1 consists of forty- two cards lithographed in colors 
comprising two each of a numerical series, from zero to twelve, and 

two each of the following picture-cards: 

Narren, fool. 
Uglen, owl. 

J'otlt'ti, vase. 
Huset, house. 
KatU n, car. 
I It stin, horse. 
Dragonen, dragoon. 
Gjegi n. cuckoo. 

109. Cucu Oabds. 2 Bari, 3 Italy. 

Pack of forty cards, printed in colors, comprising two each of a 

numerical series from one to ten, in black, and two each of the follow- 
ing picture cards: 

Mat to , fool 
00. Maschcrone, gorgon. 
000 Secchia, bucket. 
0000. y>dla, nothing. 
XI. Tan rna, inu. 
XII. Gnaf, cat. 

XIII. Salto, horse. 

XIV. Tuffo, bravo. 
XV. (lien, cuckoo. 

and a card with a rampant lion holding a shield inscribed dilettcvoU 
giuoco dell chuchu. 

A corresponding modern Cucu pack from Bologna, 4 in the same 
Museum, 5 is printed in colore, but with older and ruder designs, and Is 
similar to the preceding, except that the numbered cards have Koman 
numerals and bear rude colored pictures of Italian cities, among which 
Pisa may be recognized by its leaning tower. 

110. Hexen-karten (" Witch Cards "J. 6 Germany. 

Pack of thirty-two. printed in colors, comprising twelve cards, with 
Roman numerals from I to XII. printed in red. and two each of the 
following picture-cards : 

LEGEND. DEVICK. 

X<tr. Pool. 

Hex, Witch. 

a lass. Gla--. 

nailer, Plate. 

Wiirst, Sansage. 
Einki ri (come in . / 

Au8:aUlt (pay up), I 

Mian, C;it. 

Hott, Horse. 

fFerdOf B< try. 

Pfeift, Parrot 



•Cat. No. 10157. 

-Cat. No. 15528, Mas. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

3 Guglieliuo Mnrari. 



' Pit hesiui. 

(at. No. 15751. 

Cat. No. L5735, Mum. An h., Univ. Penn. 



940 



REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 



The pictures on each pair of cards differ in details from each other. 

A similar pack of Hexen-karten in the University Museum, 1 probably 
made in Nurnberg in the seventeenth or earl} r in the eighteenth cen- 
tury, consists of thirty-two cards printed in colors, comprising twelve 
cards with Roman numerals, printed in black, from I to XII, and two 
each of the following cards: 



LEGEND. 


DEVICE. 


Narr, 


Fool. 


Hex (Iiexe), 


Witch. 


a ins*. 


Glass. 


Duller, 


Plate 


Wtirat, 


Sausage. 


EinJcert (come in), 
Await (pay up), 


^ Inn. 


Minn. 


Cat. 


Hoit, 


Horse. 


Wi rda, 


Sentry. 


Pfeift, 


Parrot. 



The numeral cards are inscribed at the top numero. and below the 
number are pictures of cities, which, upon comparison, prove to be 
highly conventionalized copies of the pictures of Italian cities on the 
cards from Bologna. A very complete account of this game is given 
by K. A. Bierdimptl, 2 who states that in Germany the game has differ- 
ent names, that of Hexen or " witch" cards being the local name in old 
Bavaria. The game exists in France under the name of Coucou. 

The following table illustrates the interrelation of the preceding 
Italian, German, Swedish, and Danish packs: 





Italy. 




Germany. 




Sweden. 




Denmark. 




CUCTT. 




Hexex-Kakte. 




KlLLE KORT. 




Gxavspil. 




Matto. 




Xarr. 




Blaren. 




Narren. 


00 


Mascherone. 




Hex. 




Arlequin. 




TTglen. 


000 


Secehia. 




Glass. 




Pottan. 




Potten. 


0000 


NuUa. 




Teller. 




Kraus. 







I 




I 




l 




I 




ir 




II 




2 




II 




in 




III 




3 




III 




ii ir 




IIII 




4 




IIII 




V 




V 




5 




V 




VI 




VI 




6 




VI 




VII 




VII 




7 




VII 


■ 


VIII 




VIII 




8 




VIII 




vim 




IX 




9 




IX 




X 




X 

XI 
XII 


Wiirst. 


10 
11 
12 




X 

XI 
XII 




XI 


Ta rerna. 




Einkert. 

Auszaldt. 




fVardshtis. 




Huset. 


XII 


Onaf (cnao). 




Miau. 




Husu. 




Katten. 


XIII 


SaUo (salta) 




Wott. 




Cavall. 




Hesten. 


XIV 


Tufo. 




Werda. 




II a tar. 




Dragonen. 


XV 


' 




/[i.;/t. 




C licit. 




Gjegen. 



Cat. No. 157 

Die Sammlong der Spielkarten des baierischen Xationalmuseuins, Miinchen. 1884. 



CHESS AND PLAYING-CARDS. 941 

111. Igralnye Kabtt. Playing-Oards. 1 Russia. Nineteenth Cen- 

taury. 

Whist pack of nfty-two cards, French suit .-murks, and court-cards 
similar to those of France. 

The manufacture of playing-cards in Russia is a State monopoly, of 
which the revenue is applied to the support of the charitable establish- 
ment known as the u Institutions of the Empress Marie.*' 

112. Playing-Cards. 2 England. 3 Nineteenth century. 

Whist pack of fifty two cards. Suits: Diamonds, Hearts, Spades, 

and Clubs. 

According to Willshire, it is probable that cards made their way into 
England through France. The date of their introduction is not known, 
but it is believed they were not in use until after the reign of Henry 
IV (1405), and they were certainly employed previous to 1403. About 
1484 they formed a common English. Christmas pastime. England 
appears to have at once adopted the French suit marks. The English 
names of the suits, however, are in part of Spanish descent. 

113. Playing-Cards. 4 Philadelphia, 5 United States. About 1860, 

"Club House" (Philadelphia Club). 
Whist pack of fifty-two cards, ordinary suits; court-cards bear full- 
length figures instead of being double-headed. 

Similar cards are still made for use in certain games. 

114. Playing-Cards. 6 "Union." New York, 7 United States. 1862. 
Whist pack of fifty-two cards and a joker. The suit-marks are stars, 

flag of the United States, shield with national emblems, and national 

arms (eagle with shield). The Kings bear a picture of an infantry 

officer in full dress; the Queens, the Goddess of Liberty; and the 
Knaves, an artillery commissioned officer in full dress. 

115. Playing-Cards. 9 " Picture Playing-Cards" (American Generals . 

New York, 10 United States. 1863. 
Whist pack of fifty-two cards. Conventional suits. Bach card bears 
the portrait of a General of the Union Army, the denomination of the 
card being displayed on a miniature card in the left hand corner. 

»Cat. No, 16572, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

*Cat. No. 15452, Mns. Arch . Univ. Penn. 

3 De La Rne A. Co., London. 

'Cat. No. 7603, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 
Samuel Hart A Co. 

*Cat. No. 15428!», U.S.N.M. (oft of Stewart Cnlin. 

'American Card Company. 

-Mr. A. Howard Clark, to whom I am indebted for the identification of the 
uniforms, states that the rank of the infantry officer representing tin- King i^ not 
shown on epaulettes, "probably Colonel or Lientenanl Colonel; if h General, the 
lmttons on coat would be arranged in groups. The rank of the artillery 
not shown on shoulder straps." 

9 Cat. No. 7100, Mns. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

10 M. Nelson. 



042 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1896. 

116. Playim; r.VKns. 1 England. About 1863. 

Whist pack of fifty- two cards with regular suit-marks. Backs bear 
Confederate flags and seal witli legend, "Confederate States of 
America." 

117. PL aying-Cards. 2 Harlequin. New York, 3 United States. 1879. 
Whist pack of fifty-two cards with conventional suit-marks incor- 
porated into comic pictures. 

lis. Playing Cards. 4 "Political Euchre." Philadelphia, 5 United 
States. 1888. 
Pack of fifty-two cards and two jokers, with portraits of opposing 
candidates, the governors and number of electoral votes cast by each 
State. 

119. Playing-Cards. 6 Political Comic. New York, 7 United States, 

1888. 
Whist pack of fifty-two cards with joker and key to the face cards. 
The suit marks are conventional. The court-cards bear caricature por- 
traits of the politicians of the time. 

120. Playing-Cards. 8 World's Fair Souvenir. Chicago. 1893. 
Whist pack of fifty- two cards and a joker (Uncle Sam). Views of 

Columbian Exposition, with denominations nrarked with suits, dis- 
tinguished by letters and numerals, in corners. Kings bear portrait 
of Director-General Davis; Queens, Mrs. Potter Palmer ; and Jacks, 
Columbus. 



] Cat. No. 126106, U.S.N.M. Presented by Mr. Paul Beckwith. 

2 Cat. No. 7601, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

aTiffany & Co. 

4 Cat. No. 7766, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

• r, Lum Smith. 

6 Cat. No. 7101, Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 

7 A. H. Caff'ee. 

B Cat. No. 16501 Mus. Arch., Univ. Penn. 



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